ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The offseason offensive upgrade continues, and the potential for big plays in Denver just keeps growing.
The Broncos signed running back Jamaal Charles on Tuesday to a one-year free-agent contract that will bring one of the most explosive players in NFL history to Denver.
The 30-year-old running back was released by the Chiefs in February after nine seasons in Kansas City.
"I always wanted to play with Denver," Charles said Tuesday. "Growing up, [Executive Vice President of Football Operations/GM] John Elway was my favorite player. I just like the environment, the team and the organization. I wanted to be a part of it. I still feel like I can still play ball. I can keep up with the young people."
Charles will need to prove he can overcome injuries that have hampered him the previous two seasons. In 2015, he tore the ACL in his right knee and underwent season-ending surgery. Last year, he had a procedure done on his left knee.
As a result, Charles has played in just eight games and carried the ball just 83 times since the beginning of the 2015 season.
Prior to that season, though, Charles was among the NFL's elite running backs. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in five of six seasons, including three straight outputs at that level from 2012-2014.
When healthy, Charles never averaged fewer than 5 yards per carry.
Charles also poses a receiving threat out of the backfield for the Broncos. He's averaged nearly three receptions per game over the course of his career, and he takes those catches for close to 9 yards a pop.
The two-time First-Team All-Pro had his best season in 2014 when he compiled 1,980 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns.
Charles joins a crowded running back room that includes C.J. Anderson, Devontae Booker, De'Angelo Henderson, Juwan Thompson and Andy Janovich.
