Patrick Mahomes Hints at Increased Passing Game Role for Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has some high expectations for his team in 2021, and that’s great news for running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. 

Edwards-Helaire, who is entering a crucial sophomore season, should have a bigger role in the passing game this coming season. After flashing some receiving prowess as a rookie, Edwards-Helaire seems to be in line for more opportunities to prove that he was worth a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

"We have these backs that catch the ball so well out of the backfield, so why not utilize them?" Mahomes said. "Clyde, Jerick McKinnon, Darrel [Williams], Darwin [Thompson], all of these guys are really good at running and catching the ball and running routes in space and so using them ... I think you'll see a wide variety of stuff that we'll come into the season with and that's where you want to be with a great offense."

Last season, Edwards-Helaire caught 36 passes for 297 yards, but he was just tied for 19th in the league for receptions by a running back. Edwards-Helaire struggled in the red zone as a runner in 2020, so it’s possible that he could make some noise a receiver this coming season when the Chiefs are looking to score. 

"There are things we're implementing to get the ball to the backs, to spread it out more," Edwards-Helaire said. "That's one of the things on why I chose to work on my hands and just be more of a threat. ... Just being able to get out not just on routes out of the backfield but also spread out in the slot position and wide out position. Just being able to expand my skill set was my thing.

"I feel like I was a decent receiving back in college ... we're just kind of enhancing it."

WynnBET has a lot of confidence in the Chiefs this season, as they are favored to win the AFC West with their odds set at -310. Kansas City is also the favorite (+525) to win the Super Bowl this season, and has the best odds to lead the NFL in wins this season at +400. 

Kansas City already has arguably the most dynamic offense in football with Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman. If Edwards-Helaire can become a true dual-threat out of the backfield, Kansas City will be extremely hard to guard when it throws the ball. 

So far this offseason, all the signs have pointed to Edwards-Helaire being a breakout candidate this coming season. It will be up to him to succeed with an expanded role in the offense.