The New Orleans Saints have added to their running back room, signing Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Nick Underhill broke the news on X Wednesday afternoon. Contract details will be announced later.
Edwards-Helaire is a former 2020 first-round draft pick after he was selected 32nd overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. His rookie season was a good building block year, rushing for 803 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. It was downhill after that.
In 2021 and 2022, Edwards Helaire recorded just 819 and seven touchdowns in 20 games as the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in one of those seasons. Then, in the 2023 season, his role was severely reduced carrying the ball 70 times in his 15 games available.
The Catholic of Baton Rouge product never played a down in Kansas City in 2024 and was released by the organization a couple of days ago.
Before turning pro, Edwards Helaire made plays for LSU from the 2017-2019 seasons. His breakout season was in 2019, the same season the Tigers won the National Championship. During that season, CEH rushed for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries while also hauling in 55 of Joe Burrow’s passes for another 453 yards and an additional score.
The signing comes after the availability of star running back Alvin Kamara looks to be in question over the last three games of the regular season after suffering an injury in last Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders. The rest of the running back room for the Saints features Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims, and Jamaal Williams.
