KC Chiefs: Should Organization Move On From Jamaal Charles
KC Chiefs starting running back Jamaal Charles missed the majority of this season with his second ACL injury. Could his time in Kansas City be coming to a close?
The KC Chiefs have been blessed over the last decade or so with very good running back play. The last three “long-term” starters, Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, and then Jamaal Charles, have been some of the best in the entire NFL in their time starting with the team. For Johnson and Holmes, the Chiefs had some of their best offensive lines that they’ve ever had which obviously contributed in large part to their success. Charles, on the other hand, hasn’t had the same luxury.
Charles is arguably the best Chiefs running back of all-time when you consider that he not only has the most all-time rushing yards in franchise history, but he also has fourth most yards per carry in NFL history and the most of any running back ever (per Pro-Football Reference). The question I am posing is not whether Charles is a great running back, but rather if his time in Kansas City should be done.
The Chiefs actually went 11-2 (including the playoffs) without Jamaal Charles in the lineup this season.
Four games into this past season the Chiefs were struggling tremendously when he went down with a torn ACL in his knee, the second time he has suffered this injury in his NFL career. Running backs Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West filled in and filled in well for Jamaal. Ware avaraged 5.6 yards per carry this season, while West had 3.96 yards per carry. Charles was at 5.1 on the season before being placed on I.R. (stats courtesy of Pro-Football Reference).
West’s yards per carry average last season is a little deceiving because he brought a lot more to the offense than the low 3.96 mark he posted. He was key in the passing game for Alex Smith as well as a good option on the ground. Ware is a little more of a power back, which is a change for the Chiefs who seem to like the receiving-style backs over the last five or six years.
The Chiefs actually went 11-2 (including the playoffs) without Jamaal Charles in the lineup this season. They were just 1-4 when he was healthy.
So with his injuries and the Chiefs success without him in mind, should the KC Chiefs attempt to move on from Jamaal Charles?
Personally, I think there is a good argument for both sides. Obviously Charles adds a whole new dimension that the Chiefs simply do not have without him in the lineup with his speed and elusiveness. He also is owed about $5 million next season which is almost $2 million less than he made this past season (according to spotrac.com).
On the contrary, having a long-term backfield of Ware and West could be a viable option as it seemed to succeed this year and with time, they will continue to improve and grow in the Chiefs’ offense if that’s the direction they choose to go.
The 2016 NFL Free Agency market also has a few options that could interest the KC Chiefs if that is something they with to pursue rather than keep Charles or rely on West and Ware.
Running backs Chris Johnson, Reggie Bush, and James Starks all are similar to backs to what the Chiefs seem to prefer lately and they are all scheduled to become free agents this off-season. Johnson would be the best option in my mind out of the three because he is quick, has good hands, and is a bit older so his cap number should be lower for whoever signs him.
The Cardinals, CJ2K’s current team, has rookie David Johnson also on the roster who succeeded mightily this past year which might lead to Chris Johnson’s release this off-season.
I would HATE to see Jamaal Charles go and I hope it doesn’t happen until the day he retires, but this is now a real possibility and Chiefs fans need to be prepared for it going forward.
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Let me know what you think! Are Jamaal Charles’ injuries too much for him to overcome? Could Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware be the future in Kansas City? Could they bring in a new back via the NFL Draft or Free Agency? Leave me your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below!