Is Jamaal Charles the best running back in Kansas City Chiefs history?
By Matt Conner
No. 1 – Jamaal Charles – 2008-2016
We’re not putting Jamaal Charles atop the all-time franchise list for sentimental reasons. Despite his recent release, Charles has earned his spot atop the Chiefs all-time rushing list with an incredible career marked by his elite athleticism. His career rushing average of 5.5 yards is the single best average in NFL history: besting the greats that are normally mentioned the position, including Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith.
Charles ends his Chiefs career with 1,332 rushes for 7,260 yards and 43 touchdowns, but he shows his versatility with another 285 catches for 2,457 receiving yards and another 20 touchdowns. When he caught the ball in open space, he was untouchable, and Charles’ slight frame was deceiving as he could somehow turn what looked like a tackle for loss into an impressive gain.
From his five touchdown effort against the Oakland Raiders to his record 259 rushing yards against the Denver Broncos, Charles continually showed why defenses always had to plan their entire scheme around containing him. There’s never been a player on the Chiefs quite like Charles, and it will be difficult to see him playing for anyone else.