Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Clyde Edwards-Helaire's new contract to have minimal impact on Chiefs' salary cap in 2024

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated 4/12/24

The Kansas City Chiefs officially inked RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire to his one-year deal on Monday, and we now know the exact details of his new contract with the team.

According to the folks at Over The Cap, the 25-year-old running back received a one-year deal with a total value of $1.7 million in 2024. $1.325 million of the contract is fully guaranteed at signing. He’ll get a $200K prorated signing bonus, a $100K workout bonus, and $275K in per-game roster bonuses. During the 2024 NFL season, he’ll count just $1.667M against the salary cap.

That currently ranks as the 23rd-highest cap hit on the 90-man offseason roster. Of the 163 running back contracts in Over The Cap's database, Edwards-Helaire's deal ranks 43rd. That might seem like a lot, but for a reliable backup running back who is trusted and knows the system they can afford to do it. That's especially the case while RB Isiah Pacheco remains on his rookie deal.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire signing in ️ pic.twitter.com/J799cwMU4m
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 8, 2024

The Chiefs played this situation perfectly. Had they picked up Edwards-Helaire's fifth-year option as the former 32nd pick in the 2020 NFL draft, they would have paid him a fully guaranteed $5.461 million in 2024. They're paying him just over a fourth of that amount in guaranteed money on this new deal.

Edwards-Helaire has appeared in 48 career games with the Chiefs, recording 441 carries for 1,845 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 89 passes for 765 yards and seven touchdowns. The former LSU star has four career 100-yard rushing games in the regular season and postseason. He’s appeared in eight postseason games with two starts, carrying the ball 39 times for 220 yards and one touchdown for Kansas City.

After Edwards-Helaire's deal (but before DE Mike Danna's three-year deal), the Chiefs are projected to have around $23 million in salary cap space available.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: