Former LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire inked his rookie deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday evening.
While the monetary details haven’t been released, his contract is for four years with a fifth-year team option.
The Chiefs are coming off their second Super Bowl victory in franchise history. It marks their first Super Bowl win in fifty years.
Edwards-Helaire was the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He could end up being the steal pick of the draft should he work his way up the depth chart.
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He was a projected second or third round pick, and some mock drafts had him going in the fourth or fifth round. The Chiefs liked what they saw in Edwards-Helaire’s work on the field, and decided to make him the final pick of the first round.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a say in who the team selected, and the Super Bowl winning quarterback wanted the Tigers’ starting tailback.
In 2019, Edwards-Helaire rushed for 1,414 yards on 215 carries with 16 touchdowns. He played a pivotal role in the pass blocking scheme, and was versatile out of the backfield.
The Chiefs have two former Tigers rushers on their roster in Spencer Ware and Darrel Williams.
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Edwards-Helaire will certainly have to fight and compete his way up to the top to become the team’s starting running back. But, now that his rookie deal is signed, he is with the Chiefs for at least the next four seasons.
The NFL rookies report to camp soon, and Edwards-Helaire will have the chance to showcase his skills to the Kansas City coaching staff through camp before the season begins on September 10 against the Houston Texans.
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