The Chiefs added a familiar face to their backfield this week the same day they met with a different free agent running back.
Kansas City re-signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on a one-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The terms of the contract were not immediately report.
The Chiefs had met with former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins earlier on Tuesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Kansas City selected Edwards-Helaire 20 picks earlier than Dobbins in the 2020 draft.
Edwards-Helaire has been the primary backup for the Chiefs behind Isiah Pacheco for the past two seasons. He's started nine games since 2022 after Kansas City drafted him to be their No. 1 running back with the final pick of the first round in 2020. Edwards-Helaire rushed 70 times for 223 yards and one touchdown this past season with 17 receptions for 188 yards and another touchdown.
This move is all about continuity for Kansas City. The Chiefs didn't have a quality backup behind Pacheco after Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon hit free agency. Edwards-Helaire proved to be a solid spot-starter for Pacheco this past season as well. He riused 24 times for 76 yards and added nine receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown.
Dobbins is an intriguing option, though, if the Chiefs want to add another veteran to their backfield.
Doctors medically cleared Dobbins to return to the field in March after he tore his Achilles in Week 1 of this past season. It was the third major leg injury Dobbins suffered since the Ravens took him in the second round of the 2020 draft. Dobbins missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL, half of the 2022 season with another knee injury and almost all of the 2023 season with the Achilles injury.
Dobbins averaged 5.8 rushing yards per attempt over his 234 career carries. He rushed 134 times for 805 yards and nine touchdowns during his rookie year in 2020, 92 carries for 520 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 and rushed eight times for 22 yards and a touchdown during his limited snaps in 2023. Dobbins also caught 27 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown.
The Chiefs continue to fill out their offense after Kansas City added wide receiver Marquise Brown earlier this offseason. He should give quarterback Patrick Mahomes another quality pass-catching option alongside Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce.
