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.

Update: The #Chiefs are declining the 5th-year option on the contract of RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, source tells @mattderrick

CEH was the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 Draft but lost his starting job to rookie 7th round pick Isiah Pacheco in 2022. pic.twitter.com/nHHLBoiaZy

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 2, 2023

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.

The Kansas City Chiefs are declining RB Clyde Edwards Helaire 5th year option pic.twitter.com/WrKcOhqyIJ

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 2, 2023

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