The Kansas City Chiefs started on a tear last season regarding their defense. In the first game of the year, they allowed just 14 points to an elite Detroit Lions offense, and it only got better from there, really. They have been known to be more of an offensive powerhouse under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, but last year they had a top-five defense in the league.
The Chiefs have added weapons around Mahomes this offseason, though, to ensure that a slump on that side of the ball doesn't happen again like it did last season. They signed Hollywood Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy to help with the downfield play, so, the defense shouldn't have to carry as big of a load as they did last season.
But, even if they do have to, the defense will be ready. They are already putting in a ton of work in mandatory minicamp to prepare for the 2024 season - one that could see them be the first team to ever three-peat.
“I think our ability to just play off one another. A lot of it’s pre-snap communication, that’s dialed in. We’re just advancing the nuances and the details and being able to do more things within each call," linebacker Drue Tranquill said Tuesday.
"As you evolve as a defense, you’re able to do that and give the quarterback a lot of different looks. Evolving on the scout packages and what not but it’s great being out there with guys who have been in it for so long. It starts in the middle with Nick (Bolton) and goes all around our defense.”
Tranquill was a huge part of why the defense was so good last season. He was in the middle of it all, making crazy play after crazy play, and showed that he could provide that coverage they needed from the position so desperately. That's a big reason they chose to bring him back for 2024.
With all the pieces they brought back, and the few they added, the defense is set up to be great once again. And, we know they have the biggest weapon of all - one no other team has - defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who is going to make sure this defense is ready.
