Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the focal point as the New Orleans Saints close in on the 2025 regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, with 23 days to kickoff. The former LSU star joined New Orleans late in 2024 and wasted no time making his presence felt by taking Marshon Lattimore’s former number. After a quiet debut with the Saints last season, Edwards-Helaire is entering a full offseason program ready to prove he can contribute as part of a crowded running back group.
Last season, Edwards-Helaire’s opportunities were limited. He joined the Saints late in the year and appeared in only two games, making the most of whatever touches he earned but leaving room for much more in a fuller offseason rinse and repeat. This year, he’s entrenched in a competition for the third running back spot behind Cam Akers and Velus Jones Jr., and the Saints are counting on him to show consistency and durability across a complete offseason workload.
Returning to Louisiana feels like a homecoming for Edwards-Helaire. He’ll tell you the moment he got the call to re-sign with the Saints was a memorable one, and he was already in New Orleans the next morning. The move rekindles the familiar environment and support system that helped propel him from LSU to the NFL, and it gives him a strong foundation to build on as he looks to recapture the form that helped him thrive in his early NFL seasons.
Injuries have haunted Edwards-Helaire’s early NFL career. After a standout rookie year with the Kansas City Chiefs—league-leading rushing yards for a rookie and more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in his first season—his availability dwindled in subsequent years due to injuries. By the time health allowed him to rejoin a Chiefs offense that had shifted toward Isaiah Pacheco, Edwards-Helaire found himself outside the featured back role. The Saints’ decision to bring him aboard reflects a belief that, with a healthy offseason and a clearer role, he can be a productive contributor to a backfield that’s still finding its footing.
Now in what amounts to his second season with New Orleans, Edwards-Helaire faces a clear path: stay healthy, maximize limited opportunities, and demonstrate versatility in the Saints’ offense. The goal isn’t to be a lead back, but to be a reliable option who can handle carries, contribute in the passing game, and help the team stay balanced this season.
What could make the difference? A full, uninterrupted offseason to install the Saints’ schemes, sharpen timing with teammates, and regain confidence in his own health. Edwards-Helaire’s LSU pedigree and experience in a high-powered Chiefs offense give him a valuable toolkit that could translate well to New Orleans, especially in roles that require burst, vision, and pass-catching ability.
Additional notes and outlook:
– The depth chart at running back is competitive, with Akers, Jones Jr., and Edwards-Helaire all vying for meaningful snaps. A productive training camp could tilt the depth chart in Edwards-Helaire’s favor.
– If he can stay on the field, his experience from Kansas City’s offensive approach and his familiarity with high-stakes games could bring a steady, veteran presence to the Saints’ backfield.
– Beyond pure rushing, Edwards-Helaire’s potential contributions in pass protection and receiving out of the backfield could expand his touch opportunities in a Saints offense that values versatile backs.
Overall, Edwards-Helaire’s return to Louisiana, combined with a full offseason to prepare and compete, sets up a hopeful narrative for 2025. If he stays healthy and capitalizes on his opportunities, he could re-establish himself as a valuable piece in New Orleans’ backfield and help the Saints navigate a year of growth and transition with renewed confidence. In the meantime, fans can look for a determined, returns-focused chapter as Edwards-Helaire attempts to turn injuries into a productive comeback.