Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire continue to get acquainted as training camp practices are full steam ahead. The two had some private workouts together during the offseason in order to get used to playing together, but it takes some time to build up chemistry.
Following the third day of padded practices, Mahomes was asked if his initial impression of Edwards-Helaire had changed at all.
“I think Clyde [Edwards-Helaire] has done a great job in the reps that he has gotten,” Mahomes said. “I mean, he’s stepped in, he’s learned the offense. He’s not making a lot of mistakes. He’s playing fast. He has incredible vision, I think that’s what’s been the biggest thing so far. The way he’s been able to run the ball fast, find the lanes to run in and catch up the backfield and run upfield and make plays happen. For him to be able to do that early, it’s a great sign, and he’ll keep getting better and better.”
We’ve only seen glimpses of practice, but there have been a few opportunities where we’ve seen Edwards-Helaire run. In one instance, Edwards-Helaire finds a crease on the right side and takes it up the sideline, but Tyrann Mathieu chases him down forcing him to run through the play.
.@Mathieu_Era is going to make sure you finish that run 🍯🦡 pic.twitter.com/WalcIx6sAZ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 12, 2020
The Chiefs shared another video on their Instagram story which had Edwards-Helaire spinning out of a would-be tackle and reversing field. The entire sequence was quite impressive. Still, Edwards-Helaire downplayed his vision when asked about it.
“Vision wise, I was told at an early age, it might’ve been six or seven, ‘the one thing you can’t teach is eyes,'” Edwards-Helaire said. “I can’t sit here and say this is what makes me different. Every set of eyes sees things differently. As far as what I see when I’m running the ball or on a route, that’s just my mind doing its own thing and making its own adjustments. Just off of leverage and understanding the concept of the play call.”
Early indications seem to be that Edwards-Helaire isn’t just picking up the offense, but things are slowing down for him. So much so that, he’s able to make the adjustments and see things that can help create some big plays for the Kansas City offense.
