Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs is over.
ESPN’s Field Yates reported Monday the AFC West team waived the running back. Edwards-Helaire then took to social media to post a farewell message that expressed his love for the fans and city and appreciation for “the support I had in troubling times.”
Love ya KC! A family I didn’t know I needed, y’all made a Kid from Baton Rouge dreams come true!
To Chiefs Kingdom , its all love and the support I had in troubling times will forever be unmatched from you guys! With love! ❤️ 💛-Clydro ✌🏾
— GLYDE (@Clydro_22) December 16, 2024
This move could clear a roster spot for wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who is working his way back from a shoulder injury.
While Edwards-Helaire was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, he has not played a game this season and was behind Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Carson Steele and Samaje Perine on the depth chart at times.
Even when Pacheco was out with a fractured fibula, the Chiefs turned to the other running backs over the LSU product.
Kansas City had been listing him as a healthy scratch of late, including for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
There was a time when Edwards-Helaire was a major part of the team’s offensive attack. He accounted for 1,100 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2020, although he saw his usage decline as his career progressed.
After posting 181 carries in 2020, Edwards-Helaire finished with 119 carries in 2021, 71 carries in 2022 and 70 carries in 2023. He was buried on the Chiefs’ depth chart this season and was never able to get on the field for playing time.
Now he will turn his attention toward a potential next opportunity after finishing his time with the team that drafted him with two Super Bowl rings.