Jamaal Charles explains what it was really like playing for Andy Reid

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Jamaal Charles is widely regarded as one of the best running backs in Kansas City Chiefs history and spoke about the influence Andy Reid had on his game.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a special connection with their former running back Jamaal Charles and even reached out to him to read one of their 2024 NFL Draft picks out.

Charles announced the Chiefs’ second-round selection of Kingsley Suamataia to make his dream come true, a moment he had experienced 16 years ago.

Jamaal Charles signs a one-day deal to end his NFL career on the Chiefs roster

In 2019, Charles signed a one-day contract with the Chiefs after he was released as a free agent from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Charles was given one last ceremonial carry during training from Patrick Mahomes to conclude his final touch of the ball.

Andy Reid became Charles’ head coach in 2013 after Romeo Crennel had been dismissed from his duties.

The rusher had already earned First-Team and Second-Team All-Pro status, alongside two Pro Bowl selections before Andy Reid arrived on the scene.

However, Charles would continue to excel under the man known as ‘Big Red’.

Charles finds a new dynamic on Andy Reid’s offense at running back

The Texas native in his debut season under Reid earned his second First-Team All-Pro selection, his third Pro Bowl appearance, and was the NFL rushing touchdown leader with 12.

Despite not registering career-high rushing yards – falling 222 yards short of his record in 2012 – Charles excelled in the receiving game.

Reid’s offensive genius saw Charles register 693 receiving yards off 70 receptions, numbers that WR2s may struggle to record.

Furthermore, Charles had earned a new role and Andy Reid tailored much of the Chiefs’ playbook to maximize his production.

Charles explains Reid’s mindset about the offensive playbook

The ex-Chief spoke on the NFL podcast ‘NFL Players Second Acts‘, and revealed the influence of his versatility on the Chiefs’ plays.

“It was fun [playing for Andy Reid], there were days when coach Reid call me [into] the office and say, ‘I made this play up for you,'” Charles said on NFL via YouTube.

“He would walk me through the plays… most of the plays I was basically the quarterback. I was 90% of the team. At that time Eric Bieniemy was the running back coach he did not let me come out of practice and I had to get every rep.”

Reid used Charles to maximum potential in the receiving and ground game

Charles recalled how much of the offensive plays were influenced by his ability and designed around him.

The Kansas City Chiefs offense was focused on exploring his potential through screenplays and short passes to Charles.

Ultimately, Charles’ career was derailed by various injuries and two ACL tears were the final nail in his Chiefs tenure.

In 2014, Charles passed legend Priest Holmes’ rushing yards record of 6,070 yards and finished his Chiefs career with 7,260.