Fans are crazy. They can be critical, delirious, and delusional. Some see the glass half full, and some see it half empty. In Kansas City, regardless of what you think of the glass in front of you, many Chiefs fans would have a hard time denying the fact that John Dorsey and Andy Reid have turned this team around. This was an organization in a state of disarray, a place they found themselves in after the Todd Haley and Scott Pioli experiment miserably failed.
But now, after three successful years, the Chiefs have found stability and consistency once again. Something they haven’t possessed for quite some time. They own one of the best coaches throughout the league and probably one of the more underrated general managers. Rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs is comfortable and exciting again. It just all might come to an end sooner than later.
Year one was a complete turnaround that ended miserably. Year two was a hiccup. Year three was a huge step. Year four has to be maybe THE step.
I’m not trying to be a Negative Nancy. I live and die with this team like the rest of you, but reality is reality. It hit me on Friday when the Chiefs and Eric Berry could not come to a long-term agreement. He could be gone after this season, and I thought how quickly and suddenly an important piece of a team can be stripped away. In any sport. Ask the Cleveland Cavaliers when LeBron left, or just recently, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is not a comparison of Eric Berry to either LeBron or Kevin Durant. This is to prove that championship windows don’t last forever. In fact, they close rather rapidly. That is why 2016 will be a defining year for this Chiefs team.
Year one was a complete turnaround that ended miserably. Year two was a hiccup. Year three was a huge step. Year four has to be maybe THE step.
Kansas City has a lot of young talent. Mitch Morse, Marcus Peters, Travis Kelce, etc. They also have a lot of aging talent. Tamba Hali will be 33 in November, and he will be relied on heavily this season with Justin Houston out. Derrick Johnson will be 34 in November. Alex Smith is 32, and Jamaal will be 30 by the end of the regular season. Colquitt is 34.
All of these guys have performed to great extents, but how impactful will they be two or three years down the road?
Next: Moving forward