By Jordan Long
The Kansas City Chiefs have decided to release running back Jamaal Charles. According to ESPN, Chiefs’ General Manager John Dorsey said, “I have a great deal of admiration for Jamaal Charles, his toughness, and what he’s been able to achieve in his time in Kansas City. These decisions are never easy, but we felt it was in the best interests of the club to move on at this time. We wish Jamaal and his family best of luck in their next step.”
Charles has been in the NFL for 9 seasons, all with the Kansas City Chiefs. In that time he has rushed for 7,260 yards and 43 touchdowns. Charles average yards per rush is an impressive 5.5 yards. His best season was in 2012 running for 1,509 yards and 5 touchdowns.
When healthy, Charles could help any team’s running game. If he scurries for four or five yards on first down, making second and third downs easier to gain first downs. When Charles carries the football, he is fast and it is difficult for defenders to bring him to the ground. Besides the fact that he can run with the football, teams have to watch out for him going out for passes in the open field. In his career he has a total of 2,457 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Charles would help any team’s passing or running game.
The downside is his injury history. In 2011, Charles tore the ACL in his left knee during a 48-3 loss against the Detroit Lions forcing him to miss the rest of the season. 2015 Charles had another ACL tear, this time in his right knee causing him to miss 11 games. Last year, Charles suited up in only 3 games because he needed more surgery on the right knee.
There will be a team out there that will pick Charles up. He can do everything a team looks for in a running back. Whatever team signs him must be cautious because one and Charles could be out the season. Hopefully a team will decide that Charles is worth the risk.
What do you think of the Kansas City Chiefs releasing running back Jamaal Charles?
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