KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ The last rookie to start an opener at running back for the Chiefs, which also happened to be on a Thursday night, couldn't have envisioned a more unfortunate first touch.
Kareem Hunt lost a fumble at New England in 2017 for the first time since he couldn't remember when.
After that, Hunt's night was historic, as the Toledo product amassed a combined 246 rushing and receiving yards in the Chiefs' win over the Patriots, and, well, there's the bar for Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
A rookie from LSU, Edwards-Helaire will be a focus Thursday when the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs meet the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium.
The anticipation for Edwards-Helaire has been building since the Chiefs made him a first-round draft selection in April. He's not shying away from the expectation. He says he's simply been too busy to pay much attention to social media _ or fantasy football hype.
"I'm really not big on it. I don't see a lot of it," Edwards-Helaire said. "I come to practice every day, come to work, look at my stuff at night and do my job, ultimately. I'm just doing what I've been doing my whole life.
"I know what I expect from myself. I know what they expect from me."
Edwards-Helaire is the first running back selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the NFL draft since Larry Johnson was their top pick in 2003. And his path for playing time was cleared when the incumbent, Damien Williams, opted out of this season.
Edward-Helaire brings lofty credentials. As an All-SEC selection at LSU last season, he rushed for 1,414 yards and logged 453 receiving yards while totaling 17 touchdowns as the Tigers won the national championship.
His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield was a major attraction for the Chiefs, who see him as an all-around threat with speed on the perimeter and ability to beat linebackers on routes.
Edwards-Helaire earned praise from teammates and coaches in training camp and practice, different as it was with no preseason games due to COVID-19.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him get out there and do what he does best," said safety Tyrann Mathieu, who also attended LSU. "I think he's going to be somebody Coach Reid can really count on and stay up late at night trying to find a way to get him a mismatch."
Edwards-Helaire will have the benefit of lining up in one of the NFL's premier offenses, one masterfully created by Reid and controlled by Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs ranked second in the NFL last season in yards per play (6.22) and fifth in scoring (28.2). Those numbers increased in three playoff victories in which the Chiefs averaged 39 points per game.
They weren't a prolific running team in 2019, averaging 98.1 yards per game. But their running game operated effectively in the postseason: The Chiefs averages 120 yards with six rushing scores in three victories.
Mahomes is eager to see what Edwards-Helaire can do with lofty expectations in the NFL.
"Every single game you go in with the mentality, especially with our offense, that someone can really have a big game," Mahomes said. "Clyde's definitely one of those guys."
Given Reid's track record in Kansas City with rookie play-makers _ Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman made Pro Bowls as rookie return men but also did damage at wide receiver _ it's not difficult to envision a big year from Edwards-Helaire.
And there was Hunt.
In the Chiefs' season opener four years ago, Reid designed a game plan that left the Patriots' heads spinning, and their rookie running back was a major part of the scheme. Even after Hunt's opening fumble.
The mistake could have left Hunt reeling and prompted a change of direction for Reid and the Chiefs. But just the opposite occurred. When the Chiefs took the field for their second possession, Hunt's number was called on the first snap.
Hunt said after the game that provided a sense of relief: "It showed me they believed in me; they weren't going to give up on me and put me on the bench," he said. "Honestly, it helped me out."
By year's end, Hunt owned a top 10 rushing season in franchise history: 1,327 yards. He was having another big year in 2018 when his time with the Chiefs ended abruptly. He was released when video surfaced of Hunt physically assaulting a woman. He now plays for the Cleveland Browns.
That moment started a series of events at the position that led to the Chiefs using the No. 32 overall drat pick this year to select Edwards-Helaire, who will look to take advantage of the physical tools he possesses and the Chiefs' effective playbook.
Edwards-Helaire said he hadn't been made aware of Hunt's debut game, the fumble or the production. He's been too busy to dwell on such things, anyway.
"My goal is go out and execute and do my job, as far as my one-eleventh," Edwards-Helaire said. "As far as details ... for the halfback, I'm going to hound on in on it. Study as much as I can and prepare as much as I can."
