Arrowhead Pride
Recently, a former NFL general manager said that the window was closed.
At least one former NFL general manager is predicting that the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC dominance is coming to an end. Former Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon recently said as much on CBS Sports.
“The window for this Chiefs team is closing,” he explained.
He cites reasons such as defensive tackle Chris Jones getting older and coming off of injury, and Travis Kelce rounding out the back nine of his career to justify his claim.
And while he gives Chiefs Andy Reid his due by complimenting the old ball coach on his ability to evolve his offense based on the players he has, Carthon does little else to support his thought.
When he was asked what team is best positioned to usurp the reigning AFC champs, he provided the same tired predictions we hear year after year — which is that this will be the season in which the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens ascend to the throne as the top dogs in Lamar Hunt’s conference.
Listen, I get it.
Like Harvey Dent said in The Dark Knight, “You either die the hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
And that’s precisely what’s happened to this Kansas City Chiefs team. They’ve won too much for too long. Now, national analysts are looking for someone — anyone — to “rescue” them from the tyranny of the NFL’s version of Julius Caesar, but I wouldn’t expect a knife in the Chiefs’ back any time soon.
I refuse to buy into the annual tradition of NFL talking heads explaining to everyone why the rest of the league has finally caught up with the Chiefs.
Also, forgive me if we don’t take team-building advice from a guy who took over the reins of a Tennessee Titans franchise instantly stripped it for parts. In two seasons, Carthon fired head coach Mike Vrabel, let running back Derrick Henry walk in free agency and installed Will Levis at starting quarterback.
The Titans weren’t good prior to Carthon taking control, but in just two seasons, he drove the ship into the iceberg to the point that Tennessee had the first overall pick in this year’s draft.
I think I’ll put my faith in Chiefs general manager Brett Veach — but for argument’s sake, let’s still examine the claim.
Yes and no.
The answer to this question is always yes unless you do something to make the answer no.
With the NFL salary cap and the way the draft is structured, the NFL is designed for parity and to prevent dynasties from existing. Because of this, teams are constantly gaining ground on you, unless you find a way to stop the window from closing and prop it back open, as the Chiefs have managed to do in recent years.
Sure, Chris Jones is a year older, Travis Kelce is on...
