Not a lot has gone well for the Saints these past few weeks. A near comeback fell short against the Washington Commanders, the NFL’s first shutout loss of the season came next at the hands of the Green Bay Packers and on Sunday a disappointing loss to the Raiders that will demand change across the board capped off a fourth loss in the last five weeks.
Not ideal.
But for Edwards-Helaire, this game presented an opportunity for him to take the field as a member of the Saints in front of a hometown audience. With many in attendance cheering him on, friends and family included, the running back carried the ball just five times for 20 rushing yards and added a pair of receptions for another 10 receiving yards. That stat line won’t garner headlines.
But his limited usage did not change how special this day was for the former LSU Tiger and Baton Rouge native.
“It was a disappointing ending but a surreal moment most definitely,” Edwards-Helaire said in our one-on-one conversation following the game. “You never imagine you’ll have the opportunity to play at home, and it came true.”
Edwards-Helaire told me before Week 16 that it would be a dream come true to see his name on the back of a Saints jersey, especially one he got to wear in a game. While we spoke on Sunday, his game-worn jersey went everywhere he went in the locker room.
“I’m going to take this jersey with me, and I’m going to mount it by my first-round pick one,” he said. “It’s going to be one of the special ones. It feels great, honestly.”
Edwards-Helaire may get another opportunity to add a jersey to his collection next week. While starting running back Alvin Kamara is trying to get back out on the field before the season closes, second-year back Kendre Miller was taken out of Sunday’s game with a concussion and did not return.
If Kamara or Miller were to miss the season finale, the door opens for Edwards-Helaire to get some playing time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It won’t be the same effect as performing in front of the home town crowd, but it would provide the running back another opportunity to convince New Orleans to bring him back next season.
“We can’t really dictate too much,” he said. “But hopefully I’m showing enough for them to think about considering (bringing me back).”
Edwards-Helaire joined three other LSU alumni on the active roster this week. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, tight end Foster Moreau and offensive lineman Austin Deculus were all in that number.
But on top of it all, he got a chance to return to the Superdome, a place where he helped the LSU Tigers win a national championship at the end of the school’s legendary 2019 run. And again, despite the loss this time around, he will leave with fond memories.
“I love the Dome, honestly,” he told me. “Won a national championship here, so it doesn’t get any better than that. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. So, I guess we’ll see how next year pans out.”
