Chiefs: An Improved Defense

Laddie Morse

When the Kansas City Chiefs began the 2023 season, their were few positions that needed improvement. Most though it was the WR position because Tyreek Hill was a newly minted Dolphin one year ealier. What many didn’t expect was for the defense to explode — in a good way — the way it did. Let’s take a look at that defensive improvement and this year’s chances as well.

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Steve Spagnuolo

The Defensive roster the Chiefs carried into the 2023 season was an ideal fit for DC Steve Spagnuolo. Spags talks about the “secret ingredients” of L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie:

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Another aspect of Spags D that is often overlooked is his use of the blitz from his DBs. Gregg Williams, defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Commanders talks about Spags using pre-snap looks to stop the run in the AFC Championship game vs the Ravens (0:40):

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Here, Repeat, Repeat, Repeat chats about the blitz that Spags used to help win the Super Bowl:

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I think he’s referring to the rush by Chris Jones that casued an errant throw on the part of Brock Purdy.

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Here’s a great example of a corner blitz “dialed up” by Steve Spagnuolo:

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The Chiefs may be giving Spags free reign over draft picks and Free Agent signings. With Trent McDuffie coming about two years ago and LB Drue Tranquill last offseason, it’s clear the K.C. is making their D a priority. That appears to have continued this offseason as well:

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Jaden Hicks has already been called he best Safety in this draft and even though he was drafted with the 133rd overall pick (a 4th rounder), he has already shown he’s a keeper. Even though the Ravens averaged 28.4 points per game throughout the 2023 season, they could only muster 10 points against the Chiefs D in the AFC Championship game, a 17 to 10 loss for them. Now, Steve Spagnuolo had a lot to do with that outcome.

One of the biggest issues is who will play the nickel as a CB? Chamarri Conner was the 119th pick (a 4th rounder) in the 2023 draft, and appears to be ready to step in and take on that responsibility… and do it well.

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Let’s not forget the work of Dave Merritt, the Chiefs DB coach. Merritt has five Super Bowl rings while Spags has four. The Chiefs also have a number of defensive coaches with multiple SB Rings, and may have one of the finest set of coaches in the NFL.

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You have to love the way Dave Merritt breaks down a Super Bowl too (1:04):

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Adam Schefter appeared on the Pat MCAfee Show to talk about the Chiefs tying up their Defensive coaches with new extension and deals (2:17):

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If the Chiefs are locking up all the Defensive coaches as well as Chris Jones, their star DT, why wouldn’t the defense be just as good as it’s ever been. They may have lost L’Jarius Sneed but they didn’t lose the guys who drafted, trained and educated them. I’m of the opinion that the Chiefs defense is going to be as good as it has been not only in 2023, but as good as it’s ever been.

What do you think?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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