After losing five of their first six games of the season, the Chiefs reeled off ten straight victories to advance to the playoffs. The impressive run came with out the services of Jamaal Charles, who was lost in October to a torn ACL. Perhaps not surprisingly, Kansas City’s success has led some to think Charles is expendable. Among them is Hall of Fame running back.
Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware stepped up in Charles’ absence and combined for 1,037 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in 2015. While neither is Jamaal Charles, they were effective and the reason Marshall Faulk thinks the Chiefs may be alright without the four-time Pro Bowl player.
“The conversation is, ‘Why does Kansas City keep Jamaal Charles when you saw Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West? For what reason?’ ” Faulk said, via The Kansas City Star. “I can’t even see what reason they would continue to pay him if they have a way of getting up from under that contract and dispersing money elsewhere to fill some of the gaps that they have. And that’s just real talk, that’s the business of the game.”
“I love Jamaal, and I think he could find another home,” Faulk continued. “I think there’s a lot left in him. But looking at what went on when he went down in Kansas City, are his days possibly numbered there?”
We see this happen in sports frequently. In the NBA, the Clippers have played well since Blake Griffin sustained an injury and speculation began about whether the team is better off without him leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline.
In the case of the Chiefs, Faulk certainly makes a valid point. West and Ware proved they could share the load and provide a more than adequate rushing attack. And, Charles has an injury history that can be cause for concern. Add in that Charles is closing in on his 30th birthday and you could build a case for the Chiefs moving in a different direction.
Charles, when healthy, is among the more explosive running back in the league, leaving the Chiefs with a difficult decision to make. In the event Charles returns, the team will have back field depth many teams will be envious of.
H/T Eye On Football
