The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role.
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Kansas City Chiefs and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Kansas City Chiefs Defense
Kansas City did well against running backs in 2024, allowing 3.8 yards per carry to the position (2nd) and finishing second in yards before contact allowed per RB rush (2.6).
That said, the Chiefs lost a lot from the defensive line room in free agency, watching Tershawn Wharton sign with the Panthers and Derrick Nnadi join the Jets.
They did re-sign Mike Pennel, Jerry Tillery joined in free agency, and they added Omarr Norman–Lott in the second round.
Chris Jones remains the star of this unit, coming off another outstanding season.
The Chiefs finished 11th in pressure rate in 2024 (35.7%) but were slightly worse with just 39 sacks, the 18th most in the league.
George Karlaftis led the team with 8 sacks, but his 11.9% pressure left a lot to be desired and was a step back from his sophomore season.
Mike Danna played the most snaps opposite Karlaftis, and while Felix Anudike–Uzomah did get on the field a bit more in 2024, he still posted a disappointing 8.2% pressure rate with 2.5 sacks.
Charles Omenihu missed most of the 2024 season recovering from injury, but he played 57% of the defensive snaps in the playoffs, getting a sack in three games.
Kansas City also added Ashton Gillotte in the third round.
The Chiefs have no questions at linebacker after bringing back Nick Bolton ahead of free agency.
Bolton led the team with 15 run stuffs a season ago and recorded a tackle on 17.9% of his run defense snaps, adding 3 sacks, an interception, and 6 passes defensed in the passing game.
Drue Tranquill was the No. 2 option last season, and Leo Chenal rounds out the rotation after playing 445 snaps on defense last season.
The Chiefs allowed 7.0 yards per pass attempt (11th) and a 4.2% touchdown rate (12th) in 2024.
Trent McDuffie continued the great start to his career, allowing 6.1 yards per target.
Kansas City had a lot of moving parts behind McDuffie last season, so they shored up the position in free agency by signing Kristian Fulton away from the division-rival Chargers.
They also added Nohl Williams in the third round, and Jaylen Watson was good despite being limited to six games last season.
Technically a safety, Chamarri Conner saw the majority of his snaps last season in the slot, but he was not outstanding in that role.
A 2022 second-round pick, Bryan Cook has left something to be desired in coverage to this point in his career (119 quarterback rating against), but he should be locked into a starting spot.
With Conner playing more at corner, Jaden Hicks was the third option last season.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2025 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2025 games
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- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
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