Kansas City Chiefs Decline Running Back's 5th-Year Option


The Kansas City Chiefs have declined to exercise running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire's fifth-year option, according to league sources.

Edwards-Helaire was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft and had a promising start with 1,100 total yards in his rookie season.

However, his production has declined since then, with injuries and a reduced workload being major contributing factors.

The decision not to pick up his option means that he will enter the final year of his contract, with a base salary of $1.986 million and a cap hit of $3.44 million for the upcoming season.

The Chiefs' recent re-signing of Jerick McKinnon, a pass-catching back, further lowers Edwards-Helaire's prospects for the 2023 season, not to mention the emergence of Isiah Pacheco as the team's primary RB.

Despite the team's decision, Edwards-Helaire still has the opportunity to prove his worth in the upcoming season and potentially secure a future with the Chiefs or another NFL team.

Over his three-year career, the 24-year-old has amassed 1,622 yards on 371 carries, along with 577 yards on 72 receptions, and 17 total touchdowns across 33 games played. Photo Credit:  Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports