The Kansas City Chiefs will ask a lot of rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020 as he prepares to step into the feature back role.
But all indications suggest Edwards-Helaire is up to the challenge.
Chiefs quarterback and former league MVP Patrick Mahomes has already given a ringing endorsement of the ex-LSU star. Mahomes said Edwards-Helaire has had little trouble adjusting to the speed of the offense in practice (via Nate Taylor of The Athletic):
“Clyde has done a great job in the reps that he has gotten,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “He’s playing fast, and he has incredible vision. That’s what’s been the biggest thing so far.”
The vision Mahomes speaks to might be the crucial ingredient for the Chiefs to repeat as champs this upcoming season.
Kansas City has arguably the most high-powered offense in the NFL, but they have lacked a really prolific rusher in the past few seasons. Damien Williams showed flashes, and LeSean McCoy was solid in his role, but neither really gave the Chiefs consistent bursts in the running game.
Edwards-Helaire as hailed as an exceptional system fit for the Chiefs mostly because of his abilities as a pass-catcher coming out of the backfield. He had 55 receptions for 453 yards last year, and figured to play a big role in Kansas City's passing game.
But Edwards-Helaire also rushed for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns on a whopping 6.6 yards per carry.
The Chiefs will look to assert Edwards-Helaire as a multidimensional threat as they look to repeat as Super Bowl champions, and it would seem the rookie has the full confidence of his star quarterback.
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