Jamaal Charles won't be a holdout at training camp after all. The Pro Bowl running back has reached a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and is on his way to camp, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Nework.
Jamaal Charles agrees to extension with Chiefs, heads to training camp
Amid swirling rumors of a holdout, the running back has reportedly reached an agreement with Kansas City.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Charles has signed a two-year extension that will keep him in Kansas City through 2017. Rapoport reports that Charles will make $18.1 million in new money and will earn $8.3 million in 2014.
Chris Thorman at Arrowhead Pride adds up the numbers for us:
Charles had two years remaining on his previous deal, which was signed in 2010. He was set to make just under $10 million over the next two seasons. Unless I’m missing something, that makes the total value about $28 million over four years, which is $7 million per year. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy has the second highest annual average for a running back at $9 million per year, behind Adrian Peterson at over $12 million per year. Obviously, we’ll need some more clarity on the numbers.
It had been rumored that Charles, who finished third in the league in rushing last season, was planning on holding out. Just 15 minutes before news of the extension broke, in fact, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that Charles was officially a holdout. Charles's previous deal was set to pay him $3.9 million in 2014, less than players like Joique Bell, Toby Gerhart, Donald Brown and Darren Sproles. That's a gross underpayment for a player who tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns a season ago, and he knew it.
The rest of the Chiefs veterans reported to camp on Wednesday morning.
UPDATE: It was all just a big misunderstanding, guys.
I had no intention on holding out...I just ran out of gas on the way to camp and my cell phone battery died. It was a long walk I tell ya.
— Jamaal Charles (@jcharles25) July 23, 2014 See More:
