Chiefs rumors: Steelers, Broncos named “best fits” for Jamaal Charles
By Matt Conner
As Jamaal Charles continues to search for his new team in free agency, one writer says the Broncos and Steelers are “best fits” for the running back.
Jamaal Charles has an official visit with the Seattle Seahawks this week, the only such planned visit so far for the former Kansas City Chiefs running back since he was released by the team weeks ago. Seattle, however, has recently signed another veteran back in Eddie Lacy and it’s hard to picture John Schneider signing two players when there are plenty of young backs who need reps as well as an outstanding draft class available.
That means that Charles is unlikely to actually play for the Seahawks even though they are checking him out. The Chiefs have turned the page from the Charles era, although a return remains possible, but Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com believes two fellow AFC teams would be the best place for the Chiefs all-time leading rusher to land: the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Two AFC teams come to mind. The Steelers extracted great value from DeAngelo Williams after he turned 30 and could use a backup to Le’Veon Bell. The Broncos have questions in the backfield because of injuries to C.J. Anderson and the shaky rookie season of Devontae Booker."
Both teams would be very familiar with what Charles can do when he’s healthy. That’s the biggest question mark about Charles at this point, whether or not he will ever return to the field as the player of old. Charles is getting older and two serious knee injuries have taken their toll. Can the player with a career 5.5 yards per carry average really make that kind of impact on the field again?
It’s likely that Charles will have to wait some time and pass a strenuous physical to earn a team’s trust at this point. But if he’s ever in that place again, it will end up being a steal for that team.