Former Chiefs RB Charcandrick West signs with New York Jets

Charcandrick West has found a new home very shortly after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs.

The New York Jets made sure that Charcandrick West spent as little time as possible on the open market by signing the former Kansas City Chiefs to a contract shortly after he was released earlier this week.

Ian Rapoport first reported the news that the Jets brought in West to compete for reps in the backfield, one that’s not nearly as crowded as the Chiefs.

West has dealt with a concussion earlier this preseason that kept him out of training camp for several days, allowing an already crowded backfield to make up ground on the four-year NFL veteran. West, who has spent his entire NFL career thus far in Kansas City, watched new faces like Damien Williams and Kerwynn Williams creep in on his minutes, and the Chiefs apparently decided to go another way—perhaps motivated by the $1.5 million in cap savings allowed by West’s release.

The Jets have a competition between Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell for the lead role at running back, but West is likely going to get a chance to spell last year’s sixth round pick Elijah McGuire in the scatback role. McGuire just had foot surgery in late July and is expected to miss several weeks.

West had only 18 rushes for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns last season in limited duty as a third down back. He’s always had impressive hands, however, and should factor as a two-way threat as well for the Jets. West has 75 career catches for 552 rec. yards and 5 rec. touchdowns in his career.