Jamaal Charles Officially Released by Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs announced Tuesday they released running back Jamaal Charles.

Chiefs running back Charcandrick West tweeted his appreciation of Charles:

BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site will remember Charles fondly:

The move came on the same day the Minnesota Vikings announced they declined to pick up Adrian Peterson's 2017 option, making him a free agent. Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson thought the decisions were a harsh reminder of the reality for aging running backs in the NFL:

A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro, Charles once served as one of the NFL's most dynamic backfield talents thanks to an elite combination of speed and vision. 

However, he's been limited to eight games over the past two seasons because of a torn ACL and ensuing complications. 

Combine those injury troubles with a $6.2 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, and it makes sense that the Chiefs decided to cut bait a season early and let Charles explore his options elsewhere. 

Now an unrestricted free agent, Charles will have to convince teams that he's regained the explosiveness that once made him one of the league's most feared running backs. 

Season	Games	Carries	Rush Yds	Rush TD	Receptions	Rec. Yds	Rec. TD
2008	16	67	357	0	27	272	1
2009	15	190	1,120	7	40	297	1
2010	16	230	1,467	5	45	468	3
2011	2	12	83	0	5	9	1
2012	16	285	1,509	5	35	236	1
2013	15	259	1,287	12	70	693	7
2014	15	206	1,033	9	40	291	5
2015	5	71	364	4	21	177	1
2016	3	12	40	1	2	14	0

And if his past statements are any indication, Charles sounds determined to get back on the gridiron and prove he has enough mileage left in his legs to make meaningful contributions in 2017.

"What I do know is that I still want to play football," he wrote on his personal website in January. "I was only 29 years old this season. My goal right now is to just focus on the now and my rehab and let the rest sort itself out later."

That mindset should serve Charles well, but teams will undoubtedly take a cautious approach when evaluating his potential future offerings. 

Considering he owns a lengthy injury history and running backs historically start to sputter statistically after they turn 30, Charles likely isn't a candidate for a pricey long-term contract. 

Rather, it would seem more reasonable for a team in need of a rotational rusher to add Charles to the mix on a prove-it deal with incentives.