The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a fifth season after signing him to a one-year contract. However, his 2024 debut won’t happen soon after the team placed him on the non-football illness list. As a kind gesture for the Chiefs, they will continue to pay Edwards-Helaire for the season.
By rule, NFL teams are not obliged to pay the salaries of players under the NFI list. However, the Chiefs show their support by providing financial assistance to aid Edwards-Helaire with his mental battles.
The Chiefs placed Edwards-Helaire on the NFI list due to his battles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which he has been battling since 2018. According to Fox Sports’ Ryan Gaydos, the former LSU standout attributed the cause to an incident wherein they shot a man who tried to rob them. Edwards-Helaire and a companion were trying to sell an electronic device to another student.
CLASS ACT: The #Chiefs will continue to pay Clyde Edwards-Helaire despite not being obligated to pay him while he is on the NFI list.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 2, 2024
Edwards-Helaire is currently dealing with a pretty severe case of PTSD and mental health issues
(via @mattderrick) pic.twitter.com/qCFz0W3SUL
His team supports him in his battle by allowing him to take some time off while getting paid. Being on the NFI list means he could return as early as Week 4 when the Chiefs face division rivals Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s had 480 carries for 2,065 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 56 career games (including playoffs). He has been a part of two Super Bowl-winning Chiefs rosters.
-Lance Fernandez