Examining Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s New KC Chiefs Contract

Edwards-Helaire is back in Kansas City for a fifth season, and it's a relatively low-cost contract.

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet (10) defends during the first half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs' running back room is a bit more stable as the offseason continues, as Clyde Edwards-Helaire is returning for yet another season. After having his fifth-year option declined and subsequently playing out the 2023-24 campaign, the former first-round pick experienced free agency for the first time and is back where everything started.

With the contract now finalized for both sides, details for it are out. It's a relatively low-cost proposition for Kansas City and its veteran halfback.

According to OverTheCap's database, Edwards-Helaire carries a cap hit of just under $1.7 million for 2024-25. The deal comes with a $1.125M base salary for this year that's fully guaranteed. The former LSU man snags a $200,000 prorated signing bonus after putting pen to paper, in addition to a $100,000 workout bonus.

There's a nice $275,000 chunk available in per-game roster bonuses, although not all of that is a likely to be earned (LTBE) incentive due to Edwards-Helaire's 2023 games played. Because he was active for 15 regular-season games, he'll have a couple of 2024 contests count against the following year's cap if he plays a full season.

Earlier this week, Edwards-Helaire weighed in with some thoughts about coming back to Kansas City.

"I was 20 years old leaving college not really knowing what was going on and prior to that, I was still just a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, kid at LSU just doing the thing I wanted to do which was play football. Before you know it, (with) the snap of a finger I was moving 12 hours away from home, so this is literally my next spot and it’s home and I want to continue that. (I) still can do the things that I love – ride four wheelers, hunt, fish, it’s kind of like that second sportsman paradise for me and it’s even better that I’m here doing the thing that I love and just playing ball.”

As of Friday morning, the Chiefs are estimated to have just over $19M in available cap space now that Edwards-Helaire and Mike Danna's new contracts are on the books.

Even after setting aside some funds for an upcoming 2024 NFL Draft class, general manager Brett Veach has plenty to work with. Don't expect Kansas City to be finished making moves to round out its roster this offseason.

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