The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed their youngest running backs in Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. West will receive a three-year contract extension that is valid through the 2018 season, and Ware will receive a two-year $3.6 million contract extension.
Both running backs were key factors during the Chiefs playoff run and filled in nicely for injured superstar Jamaal Charles. Charles tore his right ACL five games into the regular season, and the Chiefs were thought to be dead in the water, but they endured. They would sign Ware to the active roster on Oct. 13, 2015, as he would become the primary backup/change of pace back for West.
West is an undrafted running back who has spent his whole career with the Chiefs. During the 2015 regular season, he recorded nine starts, 160 rushing attempts, 634 rushing yards, averaged four yards per carry, four rushing touchdowns, 20 receptions and one passing touchdown. Considering he didn't play a snap in 2014, 2015 was his most productive season as a pro.
He was fined $8,000 plus after delivering a chop block to an opposing defender, but that was his only setback of the 2015 regular season. Ware, on the other hand, became a great goal line back for the Chiefs after being waived by both the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City.
He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks, and after seeing his most recent production, it is amazing that the Seahawks did not keep him on the roster. West recorded two starts, 72 rushing attempts, 403 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per carry, six receptions and six rushing touchdowns.
At certain points of the season, it seemed as if Ware or West could be the starting running back for this offense as both were very productive. The Chiefs have $4 million in cap space and have only made one addition to this roster during the 2016 offseason.
They would acquire right tackle Mitchell Schwartz from the Cleveland Browns during the NFL free agent period and sign him to a five-year $33 million contract. The Chiefs also managed to re-sign linebacker Derrick Johnson, defensive tackle Jaye Howard, outside linebacker Frank Zombo and safety Jamell Fleming.
Their most notable loss this offseason came from the Oakland Raiders, who poached their star cornerback Sean Smith. By keeping West and Ware, they will keep this running attack youthful as they continue to get great production from this running back committee.
