Broncos agree to one-year deal with ex-Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles
May 2, 2017, 3:31 PM | Updated: 4:20 pm
Things are getting juicy down at Dove Valley, as former Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is switching AFC West allegiances, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos.
Charles, who was released by the Chiefs in February, met with Denver at the team’s UCHealth Training Center on Tuesday and did not leave without joining the orange and blue.
“Excited to have Jamaal Charles join the Broncos. A great addition to our backfield, and we’re thrilled we won’t have to play against him,” general manager John Elway tweeted Tuesday afternoon.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter first reported on the agreement, which is reportedly worth up to $3.75 million after incentives.
To update three of four leading rushers from 2012:
Jamaal Charles is a Bronco.
Marshawn Lynch is a Raider.
Adrian Peterson is a Saint.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 2, 2017
On with 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive” shortly after his breaking report, Schefter said Denver’s not facing much a huge risk by bringing in Charles, who missed much of the 2015 campaign with a torn right ACL and appeared in only three games last season.
The four-time Pro Bowler and twice first-team All-Pro also missed nearly the entirety of the 2011 season with a torn left ACL.
But despite his injury history, Charles’ knee “checked out,” and he opted to stay in the division, Schefter said.
“There’ll be some form that’s guaranteed,” Schefter said of the contract. “It’ll be worth up to $3.75 million dollars, so there’ll be a lot of incentives in there that he’ll have to stay healthy to get and be on the football field to get.
“If he plays well and is healthy and is playing regularly, he’ll collect money. And if he doesn’t, then, obviously, that will be mitigated some.”
A third-round draft pick out of Texas by the Chiefs in 2008, Charles has appeared in 103 regular-season games, with 69 starts, and two postseason tilts in nine seasons in Kansas City.
During his tenure with the Chiefs, Charles put up a franchise-best 7,260 yards, along with 43 rushing touchdowns, 285 receptions for 2,457 yards, and 20 touchdowns.
His 5.5 yards per carry career average is the best in NFL history for running backs.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
