Chiefs 2016: Could regression, father time sabotage season?

Oct 25, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) stretches out before the game against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bears won 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) stretches out before the game against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bears won 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Lastly, for the sake of this conversation, I’d be remiss if I omitted Jamaal Charles from the discussion.

The issue with Charles is that obviously, much of the winning last season took place with him on the bench. The obvious oddity in that comment is that Charles, arguably the best running back in this organizations history, has an explosive and game breaking element to his game that few can match. How can an offense be better without Charles?

But speaking specifically, an aging running back with now two surgically repaired knees, especially a player who’s now beginning to add mileage to the ole tires. Running backs, like perhaps no other position in sports, disappear from the game in lightning quick fashion. Talent and skill disappear into the wind, leaving only a shell of what used to be a great player.

I’m not predicting that any of these will happen, only candidates I mention, if for no other reason, to generate discussion. Careers in the NFL are over sometimes before they seemingly get started, and sometimes a player has to take a step back in order to take two steps back. We will see what happens.