The Kansas City Chiefs are in a tough situation when it comes to their salary-cap situation. The Chiefs are already looking down the barrel of having to extend the contracts of quarterback Alex Smith and defensive end Justin Houston, but now running back Jamaal Charles says he plans to hold out if the team doesn't address his contract.

The Chiefs first practice is Thursday and while Charles believes a new contract can be hammered out, Kansas City believes he will report on time regardless. The 27-year-old Charles is considered one if the best offensive weapons in the NFL and was the workhorse behind the Chiefs' success in 2013.

Charles accounted for a NFL high 35.3 percent of the Chiefs offense in 2013 and also lead the team in rushing (1,287 yards), receiving (70 catches) and touchdowns (19), setting career highs in the last two categories. Charles is set to make $3.9 million from the Chiefs this year and will make $6 million in 2014.

Chicago's Matt Forte and Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy are the closest to Charles in production with 30.8 percent, but the Bears will pay Forte $6.9 million this year and McCoy will receive $8 million from the Eagles.

The Chiefs have very limited salary cap space and have to find a way to sign Houston and Smith to extensions while entertaining offers to Charles. The Chiefs could end up losing some of their biggest players if they don’t tread carefully in what remains of the offseason.

[ESPN]

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