🚨 BREAKING: Chiefs Make a HUGE Defensive Move That Every Team Feared!

Chiefs Kingdom, it’s time to dive into some serious news. The preseason’s over, and we’ve got a major story brewing. While the Chiefs were making waves in the offseason, we’ve learned that Kansas City has yet to reach a new contract with a key defensive player. And this player, who’s expected to be a massive part of the defense this season, is making just $2.6 million, which is way below what he deserves. But is this a catastrophic decision or just some preseason panic? Let’s break it all down.

Defensive Struggles: What Went Wrong?

The Chiefs defense has gone from good enough to championship-grade in the past couple of seasons. We saw the pass rush explode and the back end tighten up. The Chiefs didn’t need to rely on the offense putting up 35 points every week. A huge part of the defense’s rise was the interior—not just Chris Jones, but the entire rotation that kept him fresh and allowed for pressure up the middle. However, this offseason, there’s been a lot of shuffling, with pieces moved around, reps reallocated, and the depth chart feeling like a game of musical chairs.

In the preseason, while we saw flashes of brilliance, we also saw some concerning gaps—particularly in the A and B gaps. Some runs went for 5 or 6 yards, and that’s problematic, especially for a defense built on keeping the offense off schedule. When the defense is constantly facing 2nd-and-4, everything gets harder. And that’s where the concern lies.

Defensive Tackles: The Heart of the Issue

We all know what Chris Jones brings to the table—he’s the game-wrecking, double-team-demanding force that every offensive coordinator circles in red. But what about the rotation around him? When Jones is doubled, the other defensive tackle has to win right now. If they don’t, the offense can do whatever it wants—setting up clean pockets for quick passes and opening up running lanes. This is how you end up in those frustrating second and mediums.

The interior is crucial for the pass rush angles, blitz disguises, and even the coverage you can run behind it. If the interior collapses, everything falls apart. So, why does this all matter now? Because the Chiefs’ defense needs to perform at an elite level for another Super Bowl run, especially in a loaded AFC.

The Defensive Line Moves: What’s Next?

Here’s the good news—Steve Spagnuolo and DL coach Joe Cullen have a plan. There are two tweaks I expect to see early in the season:

Front multiplicity on early downs: Look for more tight and odd fronts to clog the interior, forcing protection checks that leave the other DTs in one-on-one situations.
Roll clarity by situation: Early downs will focus on the anchors in the middle, while passing downs will see more penetrating tackles next to Jones to collapse the pocket.

This isn’t a total rebuild. It’s about getting the right players in the right spots. For example, Derrick Nnadi could be the key on early downs. He might not fill the stat sheet, but when he’s playing well, the run fits fall into place.

Another piece to watch is the young interior penetrator. Whether it’s a rookie or a newer rotational body, one disruptive pass rush snap every couple of series can change the game. That one quick win on a 2nd-and-7 could turn the series into a third-and-long, and that’s where Spags shines.

Why This Matters for the AFC

We all know the AFC is packed this year. Teams like Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Buffalo are loaded with talent, and the Chargers have an offense that will give any defense trouble. The Chiefs need to be stout inside to stop the gap schemes, QB runs, and quick-passing games that other teams will throw at them.

The bottom line: The Chiefs need their interior defense to hold up on early downs. If they can squeeze those early down runs, force more 3rd-and-7s, and allow Jones to get after the QB, the entire defense will be in a better position.

So, Are the Chiefs DT Moves a Mistake?

The process has been messy—lots of shuffling, experimenting, and the preseason didn’t exactly calm the nerves. But the truth is, this defensive line doesn’t need to be spectacular. It needs to be sturdy. If they can just give the offense a couple of extra possessions a month by stopping the run on early downs and forcing more 3rd-and-long situations, this will be a successful defense.

If the Chiefs get the interior defense right, they’ll open up opportunities for their edge rushers, their secondary will be more aggressive, and they’ll be in prime shape for another Super Bowl run.

Fan Discussion: What’s Your DT Strategy for the Season?

So, what do you think of the Chiefs’ defensive line rotation heading into the season? How would you split up the early-down reps versus passing downs around Jones? Do you prefer a tight/odd front or an even front for the season opener? And if the Chiefs add another body to the interior, do you want a run stuffer or a penetrating pass rusher?