It finally happened. The era is over. On January 12, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs let the clock run out on Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Technically, his practice squad contract expired, and the team chose not to sign him to a reserve/future deal. Basically, the Chiefs waived running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire without saying a single word. No ceremony. No big tribute video on the Arrowhead big screen. Just a transaction line on a Monday afternoon.
Honestly, it feels a bit weird, doesn't it? This was the guy Patrick Mahomes specifically asked for back in 2020. The "missing piece." The LSU star who was supposed to make an already unstoppable offense even more terrifying. Instead, we’re looking at a career that feels like a long series of "what ifs."
Why the Kansas City Chiefs Waive Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire Now
You’ve gotta look at the state of the Chiefs' backfield to understand why this move was inevitable. The 2025 season was a mess for KC. Mahomes went down with a brutal ACL/LCL tear in December. Isiah Pacheco has struggled to find his old explosive self after his own string of injuries. The run game was, frankly, stagnant.
The front office is clearly in "burn it down and rebuild" mode for the 2026 season. They already signed ShunDerrick Powell—a kid with 4.4 speed—and wideout Andrew Armstrong to future deals. When you’re $58 million over the cap, you don’t keep a veteran around just for the nostalgia.
- The Production Gap: In 2025, Clyde only suited up for two games. Seven carries. Thirteen yards. That is a 1.9-yard average. You can't survive in the NFL with those numbers, especially when undrafted guys are hungry for those same reps.
- The Financial Reality: Kansas City is bleeding cash. Moving on from underperforming assets isn't just a choice; it’s a survival tactic for GM Brett Veach.
- Fresh Blood: The team is already eyeing the 2026 Draft, with names like Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love floating around as potential targets at the No. 9 spot.
The Rise and Fall of the "Fresh Prince"
When the Chiefs drafted Clyde 32nd overall in 2020, people lost their minds. He was the only running back taken in the first round. I remember the debut against Houston like it was yesterday—138 yards, a touchdown, and a 27-yard burst that made him look like the next Marshall Faulk. He became the youngest player in history to put up those kinds of debut numbers.
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But then the injuries started. A hip here. An ankle there. A knee in 2021.
By 2022, a seventh-round pick named Isiah Pacheco didn't just challenge Clyde; he took his job. It’s gotta be a tough pill to swallow when you're a first-round investment being outplayed by the 251st pick. Clyde was even inactive for Super Bowl LVII. He’s got two rings, yeah, but the second one probably feels a lot different than the first when you’re watching from the sidelines in a tracksuit.
What Really Happened with the Saints Stint?
A lot of fans forget that Clyde actually left and came back. He had a brief cup of coffee with the New Orleans Saints in late 2024 after KC initially cut him. It was supposed to be a "homecoming" since he’s a Baton Rouge legend. It didn't stick. He played two games, got waived, and came crawling back to the Chiefs' practice squad in 2025.
Coming back to your ex is rarely a good idea. In this case, it was just a placeholder move. The Chiefs needed a body they trusted while Pacheco was hurt, and Clyde knew the playbook. But the "spark" was gone. He looked hesitant. The burst that made him a star at LSU seemed to have evaporated.
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The Human Element: More Than Just Stats
Despite the "bust" label fans love to throw around, Clyde was a massive part of the locker room culture. Just this month, stories came out about how he was the one who called Taylor Swift during the 2024 parade shooting chaos to let her know Travis Kelce was safe. He was the guy Kelce leaned on.
That matters. But in the NFL, "being a good dude" doesn't buy you a roster spot when your YPC starts with a 1.
What’s Next for Clyde?
At 26 years old, he isn't "old" by human standards, but in RB years? He's a veteran with high mileage and a long medical history. He's officially a free agent now.
Will someone take a flyer on him? Maybe. A team looking for a reliable pass-catching back on a league-minimum "prove it" deal might call. But the days of Clyde Edwards-Helaire being a "lead back" are likely over. He’s at a crossroads. He could try to latch onto a roster in training camp, or we might see him looking at the UFL to prove he’s still got some juice left in the tank.
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The Actionable Reality for Chiefs Fans:
- Expect a RB heavy draft: With Clyde gone and Kareem Hunt aging, the Chiefs are virtually guaranteed to draft a back in the first three rounds of 2026.
- Monitor the Waiver Wire: Brett Veach is known for "shopping" once the practice squad contracts expire across the league. Keep an eye on names like Breece Hall, who might become available if the Jets continue to spiral.
- Cap Casualties: Moving Clyde is just the start. Expect more veteran cuts (like potentially Jawaan Taylor) as the team tries to get under that $58 million deficit.
The Kansas City Chiefs waive running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire because they have to move forward. It’s a cold business. One day you’re the first-round savior, the next you’re a line item on a Monday afternoon transaction report.
If you are a collector or a fan, now is the time to grab that No. 25 or No. 26 jersey on clearance. His time in KC is done, and the franchise is officially looking for the next person to carry the load for a post-injury Patrick Mahomes.
Next Steps for Following the Chiefs Offseason:
Keep a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in February. The Chiefs' interest in high-speed, "slash" style running backs will tell you exactly how they plan to replace Clyde's original role in the offense. Look for meetings with Jeremiyah Love or any back running sub-4.45.