It has not taken long for former first-round pick running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to find his new home. The former Kansas City Chiefs running back was surprisingly released on Dec. 16 and has now been signed by the New Orleans Saints.
Read more: Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire Responds After Being Released
Edwards-Helaire went to college at LSU, and will now return back to Louisiana to play with the Saints.
Edwards-Helaire had a successful rookie season, securing 803 yards on the ground with four touchdowns and a 4.4 yards per carry average. He also tacked on 297 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Despite the strong rookie campaign, Edwards-Helaire began to regress in production. He also suffered injuries that kept him out of being the lead back for the Chiefs following the 2022 season. Isiah Pacheco would take over that role, leading to Edwards-Helaire having less touches.
The Chiefs chose to release Edwards-Helaire simply due to their current running back room, which is led by Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Hunt was brought back to Kansas City when Pacheco fractured his leg after Week 2.
The Chiefs also use rookie Xavier Worthy in certain offensive packages due to his immense speed. With enough help in the running back department, it made sense for the team to move on from Edwards-Helaire.
Now, Edwards-Helaire joins the Saints to help the team potentially secure three final wins. Though New Orleans has not been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, they would need a lot of help to make the postseason.
If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers somehow imploded at the end of the season and dropped their final three games, the Saints could jump into first place in the division. However, that is a long shot to happen.
Still, the Saints made a big move by adding Edwards-Helaire to a running back room that has Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Jamaal Williams.
Kamara is currently dealing with a groin abductor injury, and his status for the rest of the season is up in the air. The Saints need veteran help, and it makes a world of sense as to why they signed Edwards-Helaire.
Edwards-Helaire could presumably lead the running back room should Kamara be ruled out for Sunday and the rest of the season. Either way, the Saints secured a solid running back.
Edwards-Helaire might have seen his production dip every season, but he is still a viable option to churn out yards on the ground.
For more on the Saints, head to Newsweek Sports.
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