Jamaal Charles says he’s “still at the top” of his game
By Matt Conner
Former Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles spoke to the press on Monday in Denver saying he’s still at the top of his game.
Depending on the question, sometimes it’s easy to spot the chip on Jamaal Charles’s shoulder. Other times, he seems to be at ease about the Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to release him earlier this offseason.
Charles worked out with the Broncos on Monday at OTAs and spoke to the media about his progress. Specifically, Charles mentioned a couple times that he was “fired” by the Chiefs, but he also mentioned on several occasions that he’s happy to be where he is in Denver, noting that “the past is the past.”
“I’m just happy to be a Bronco,” said Charles to the press. “The past is the past. If I was still a Chief, I’d be there now. That’s not the case and I’m here now. I was fired. It’s a business and I’m excited to be a Bronco. I’ve wanted to be a Bronco since I was a little kid when I looked up to John Elway and saw how he carried his team with Terrell Davis at running back.”
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
Charles was released earlier this offseason after suffering through a couple of injury-riddled seasons with the Chiefs. Entering this offseason, Charles had a salary cap hit of over $6 million, and for a cash-strapped team like the Chiefs, that number was going to be difficult to stomach. Charles ended up signing an incentive-laden deal worth up to $2.5 millon with the Denver Broncos that included only $1 million in guaranteed money. He also mentioned he would have given the Chiefs to offer him that same deal, but what’s done is done and the Chiefs moved on to rookie running back Kareem Hunt.
Despite the lack of production over the last two years, Charles insists he’s “still at the top” of his game and that injuries are just bad luck.
“I want to show up and compete with my teammates and show them that I am good,” says Charles, “and I’m still at the top of my career. It is important to me. When I left Kansas City, I was still at the top. It was just the injury. You can’t really control injuries. You just wish for good luck.”
Charles had only 12 carries for 40 rushing yards last season for the Chiefs. He left town as the team’s all-time leading rusher with 7,260 career yards.