Yr 4 is on deck for Cardinals working again Chase Edmonds in 2021 and this upcoming marketing campaign brings with it an especially intriguing alternative. Prior to now, Edmonds has performed second fiddle to different backs like David Johnson and Kenyan Drake, who’ve manned the beginning spot within the backfield rotation all through his tenure. Now, that lane to beginning standing is a little more open. Johnson has been gone for a full 12 months at this level and Drake departed for the Las Vegas Raiders in free company. Arizona did add former Steelers starter James Conner into the combination, however it does appear as if Edmonds will probably be given an opportunity to lastly take that leap up the depth chart.

“It is now or by no means,” Edmonds informed the official Cardinals web site. “I’ve lastly obtained my alternative actually and really in entrance of me to have a reasonably large position on this offense. It is one thing I have been dying for, praying for, since my first three years within the NFL. It appeared like it might by no means occur, however I’ve lastly obtained this chance, and I’ve obtained to benefit from it.

“I am able to run by means of a rattling wall. I am actually able to show myself proper. Individuals do not perceive how unhealthy. I get what individuals are saying. I get the arguments and (expletive), however I actually could not care much less. I will go on the market and I will ball out this 12 months.”

Whereas Edmonds hasn’t been checked out as a characteristic again beforehand, he has carved out a strong position for himself and has proven what he can do when given the rock. In 16 video games performed (two begins) in 2020, the previous fourth-rounder totaled a career-high 850 yards from scrimmage to go together with 5 touchdowns. His speeding and receiving yards, alongside together with his receptions had been additionally profession marks. His detractors, in the meantime, would level to the 5-foot-9, 210 pounder’s body as a potential pink flag to giving him the total workload. There’s additionally the truth that he did injure himself after logging 27 touches in a 2019 contest towards the Giants the place he totaled 126 yards and three touchdowns, elevating considerations about his sturdiness. Due to that, some could proceed to query Edmonds, however he appears keen to vary that narrative. 

“I do know there’s doubts about my body and about how little I’m and about, ‘Oh, he obtained injured when he had a full load,’ or, ‘Each time he will get a full load he would not produce the identical approach,'” he stated. “I learn all of it, bro.

“I might not be your typical 20-carry man. Not each working again is a 20-carry man. However I consider I am definitely able to being a 20-touch type-of-guy. Whether or not that is 15 carries and 5 grabs, or 16 carries and 4 grabs. I really feel like there’s distinctive methods you will get a participant the ball a good period of time, and it would not need to be a Derrick Henry or Nick Chubb fashion, simply working up the center. For folks to consider I am not that kind of man, that is their opinion, however I consider if I’ve 20 touches in a recreation, I could make some particular issues occur.”

Naturally, the presence of Conner — a again with loads of beginning expertise — will probably be one thing Edmonds might want to fend off as he tries to solidify himself because the lead canine. That stated, the Cardinals again additionally famous that the 2 ought to complement each other nicely and he’ll be “proper on the sidelines cheering” when Conner is out on the sector, highlighting no contentious battle on deck in coaching camp. In the meantime, if Edmonds can reside as much as the excessive bar he is setting for himself getting into this pivotal fourth season within the league, he’ll not solely make the Arizona offense that rather more deadly, however he’d even be a sneaky fantasy soccer possibility for us at house as nicely. Feels like a win-win throughout.