Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson are both huge free agency risks

Tuesday, Feb. 28 marked the end of an era for two teams. The Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs parted ways with longtime running backs who have carried their franchises for nearly a decade. The Vikings declined to pick up Adrian Peterson’s 2017 option, while the Chiefs outright released Jamaal Charles.

It was a sad day for both teams, but not entirely unexpected. As great as both backs were in previous years, they’re now 30-plus, which is typically the expiration date for running backs. Both players are also recovering from severe knee injuries that make them a risky bet on the free agent market.

Even with those concerns, Peterson and Charles are still big names and will be looking to join a contender next year. Charles in particular wants to play for a Super Bowl contender and chase a ring in the final years of his career. But age and injury history are significant red flags for both men, and there are legitimate questions over how much time they have left. Let’s go over each player and assess the risk/reward for prospective teams needing RB help.

Pros: In 2015, his last healthy year, he won the rushing title with 1,485 yards. Peterson has bounced back from knee injuries in the past, so it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if he comes back for at least one more productive year. Even at this stage of his career, he could still be a productive two-down runner for teams that run more conventional offenses.

Cons: Everyone remembers Peterson’s remarkable comeback from ACL surgery to win MVP, but that was a long time ago. He’ll turn 32 in March and a torn meniscus limited him to three games last year.

It’s not just the injuries that should give teams pause. Peterson is kind of a one-dimensional runner these days and doesn’t really play a role in the passing game. He struggled to fit into Norv Turner’s shotgun sets and plays best with the quarterback under center, which limits the ways teams can utilize him. Ball security has also become a big issue in recent years.

There’s also, you know, the whole child abuse scandal that marred his reputation. Peterson played just one game in 2014 before being suspended for the rest of the year. Teams interested in signing him will have to be prepared for a potential blowback from the fanbase.

There’s a lot working against Peterson — age, injuries, decreasing effectiveness, a nasty off-field case — that could make teams shy away. Peterson might still have something left, but it’s fair to wonder if he’s more name than game these days.

Pros: One of the most dynamic, versatile runners in his prime, Charles averaged five or more yards per carry in eight straight seasons, an astonishing run of consistency. He’s also better in the passing game than Peterson has ever been, and should be an asset in a two-man committee in his later years. Charles is two years younger than Peterson and doesn’t carry the off-field baggage.

Cons: Tore his ACL in 2015, the second such injury of his career. He tried coming back last year, but couldn’t fully recover and ended up appearing in just three games. Charles played just eight games in the past two years and who knows if his body can hold up much longer.

With ACL tears on both of his knees, Charles’s career is likely on borrowed time at age 30. He ended up getting released with a “failed physical” designation, which means his knee still isn’t right. That’s a worrying sign, given that his surgery happened over a year ago. Charles needs to convince potential suitors that his knee will be 100 percent sooner rather than later.

Charles and Peterson will undoubtedly be remembered as two of the best running backs of their generation, and their legacies are secure no matter what happens from here. But Father Time is undefeated, and these men are closer to the end than the beginning of their careers.

They could well end up having more quality years left in them, but teams would be wise to weigh the benefits against the risks here, rather than blindly chase the biggest RB names on the free agent market. If a playoff contender needs a complementary piece to try getting over the hump, Charles and Peterson could be great fits. But if they’re hoping for these guys to be the centerpiece of their offense, they might be disappointed.