Jamaal Charles Is The Best Running Back In Chiefs History

Jamaal Charles is the best running back to ever wear the red and gold, and that’s really saying something. What he has accomplished in his 6 seasons with KC is simply amazing and he’s quickly paving his path into the Pro-Football Hall Of Fame.

Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

When you first read the best Chiefs running back of all time, arguments and debate begin to spread very quickly throughout your mind. Christian Okoye, Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Ed Podolak, the list goes on. Kansas City has been home to a lot of great running backs, but no one to ever play the position for this team has done what Jamaal Charles is doing.

He’s  currently the NFL’s all time leader  in yards per-carry with an average of 5.6. He is the only Chiefs running back to rush for 1,000 plus yards in 4 four seasons. He’s only 500 yards away from passing Priest Holmes as the Chiefs all time leading rusher, which he could potentially do this year. He’s the only player in NFL history to score 4 receiving touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown in a single game, which he did against the hated Raiders. And mind you, Jamaal hasn’t had guys like Willie Roaf, Brian Waters, Tony Richardson and Will Shields paving the holes for him to run through.

Charles is in the middle of a career year in yards from scrimmage, receptions, and touchdowns this sesaon. He’s accounted for 18 touchdowns through 14 games with 11 rushing and 7 receiving. He’s carried the load for the Chiefs all season and his name is really starting to heat up in the MVP of the league discussion. Even head coach, Andy Reid agrees,

"“He’s got my vote,” said Reid when asked whether or not his running back was worthy of MVP discussions. “Anybody, however many folks that were here today, I’m sure he’s probably go their vote. I don’t know how anybody could be more valuable to a team’s success than he is, so, I’m pulling for him.”"

Peyton Manning is obviously the favorite for this award, as he is every year before the season starts. Manning is trying to reach a record, 5th league MVP title but Jamaal Charles should have a serious chance at winning the title if he keeps this production up. In a league that is quarterback driven, it takes historic numbers from a running back to jump guys like Manning, Rodgers and Brady. Adrian Peterson was a monster last season just finishing a few yards shy from having the greatest rushing season by any running back in the history of the NFL. Now Charles isn’t going to rush for 2,000 yards, but he is doing what Peterson had to do last season to jump Manning, and that’s play lights out down the stretch of the season and get your team in the playoffs.

Nov 3, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) tops to overlook the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Charles has now scored 5 rushing TD’s in his last 4 games and has caught 5 touchdowns in the last two games. He’s on pace to hit the 1,300 yard rushing mark and hitting the 700 yard mark in receiving, bringing him to a 2,000 yards from scrimmage season. If he does so, that would put his name next to guys like Marshall Faulk, Jim Brown and Barry Sanders who all are Hall Of Fame players. Charles has carried the Chiefs on his back since he’s become a starter and he deserves any and all credit that is thrown his way.

Jamaal Charles doesn’t have to get the league MVP title for him to finish as the greatest Chiefs running back, but it would definitely solidify it and add to his growing legend. People outside of Kansas City forget that he’s only two years removed from an ACL tear, something that was overlooked last season because of what Adrian Peterson accomplished.

You can debate back-and-forth all day if you like, but there is not doubt that numbers wise, Jamaal Charles will finish as the Chiefs best, and potentially one of the best to ever play the position in NFL history. It’s been an amazing 6 seasons for Jamaal Charles so far, lets just hope he can finish with a Super Bowl ring on his finger.

So what say the rest of the Kingdom? Do you agree or disagree? Start the debate below in the comments.