The Kansas City Chiefs made a significant move on Monday by releasing Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a running back selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This decision has sent ripples through the football world and raised questions about the future of the talented player. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Chiefs' Clyde Edwards-Helaire - A Tale of Dreams and Struggles

Edwards-Helaire's Draft and Rookie Season

In 2020, the Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd pick of the first round. This marked the beginning of his NFL journey. His rookie season was a standout one, as he amassed 1,100 yards from scrimmage and scored five touchdowns. The Chiefs went 13-1 in a COVID-shortened campaign and even advanced to the Super Bowl, where they faced Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a promising start to his career.During that season, Edwards-Helaire was the featured back, and his performance caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. He showed great potential and seemed to be on his way to a successful NFL career.

His Later Seasons and the Loss of His Starting Job

However, in the following seasons, his role and production began to dwindle. After his rookie campaign, he lost his starting job in 2022 to rookie Isiah Pacheco. This was a significant setback for Edwards-Helaire, as he had been expected to continue to be a key player for the Chiefs.Despite playing three more seasons with the team, his impact on the field was not as significant as it had been in his rookie year. The Chiefs' offense evolved, and other players stepped up, leaving Edwards-Helaire on the sidelines.

Dealing with PTSD and Its Impact on His Career

In September 2024, the Chiefs placed Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list before their season opener. He had been living with PTSD since a 2018 shooting incident at LSU. This incident, which involved a fatal shooting while he was with linebacker Jared Small and was later determined to be a justifiable act of self-defense, had a profound impact on his life.Edwards-Helaire opened up about his condition, revealing that it had led to cyclic vomiting syndrome and required hospital stays. He described the mental and physical toll it had taken on him, including real bad dehydration and rapid weight loss.Despite these challenges, he has shown resilience and has been working to cope with his PTSD. He thanked his fellow Chiefs, including head coach Andy Reid and tight end Travis Kelce, for their support on the "The Pivot" podcast.As of Monday, it is unclear whether Edwards-Helaire intends to continue pursuing a football career. His story is a reminder of the challenges that athletes face both on and off the field and the importance of mental health in their lives.