Maurice Jones-Drew may be long retired, but another three-named NFL running back is still going strong.
The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that they have agreed to a new contract with veteran running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The 25-year-old Edwards-Helaire is getting a new one-year deal from the Saints.
Edwards-Helaire was a first-round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 32 overall). But he was unable to live up to his individual expectations while with the Chiefs, never reaching 1,000 yards rushing or five rushing touchdowns in a single season.
The former LSU star Edwards-Helaire also struggled with pass-blocking as well as some ill-timed fumbles in Kansas City. Eventually, he was waived by the Chiefs in the middle of this past season after spending time on the NFL’s reserve/non-football illness list (though Edwards-Helaire did wind up walking away with Super Bowl rings in both 2022 and in 2023 for his troubles).
The Saints then went on to sign Edwards-Helaire to their practice squad in December and elevated him to the active roster for one total game last season. Now he will be getting a fresh chance to compete in their backfield next season behind Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Kendre Miller.
There is some value to Edwards-Helaire as a pass-catcher and a situational runner. Under newly-minted Saints head coach Kellen Moore, just hired after helping lead the Philadelphia Eagles to victory in Super Bowl LIX as their offensive coordinator, Edwards-Helaire may find some fresh life.
