Fansided
Fansided

Should The Kansas City Chiefs Try To Trade Jamaal Charles?

By Sam Beckenstein

Oct 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) stretches out before the game against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bears won 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) stretches out before the game against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bears won 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Jamaal Charles tore his ACL last season for the second time, this time in his right knee. Having torn each ACL, there were several questions surrounding Charles, and his ability to return to the Chiefs.

A little over a year later, the Chiefs have found an emerging star in Spencer Ware who has rushed for 511 yards, gained 313 yards receiving and scored three times. They also have Charcandrick West who filled in for Charles after his injury last year and gained 846 yards and scoring five times in 12 games.

They’re both capable backs, and have been seeing significantly more carries than Charles since his return from the injury, which leaves the question, is there room for Charles moving forward with a tandem of younger, talented backs?

In three games Charles has 12 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown, and has been very limited in two games and missed one with concerns over his knee since he’s returned. We’ve seen Charles make plays still, and he is still under contract until the end of next season he could become an interesting trade piece for a contender looking to upgrade their running back corp.

Assuming he gets no bad news from his visit with Dr. James Andrews, and Spencer Ware is only slated to miss one week with a concussion, it’s possible the Chiefs could try to trade him. At 29, and with two budding backs, the Chiefs should seriously consider trading Charles for some draft picks or a talented player.

There’s no guarantee he plays significant minutes anymore in Kansas City, there’s no guarantee he returns to his superstar form again, and there would be little risk in trading Charles for a pick or two. Given the uncertainty, the age, and the young talent on their team, you’d have to imagine they’d seriously listen to any offers before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Home/NFL Hot Takes