Kansas City Chiefs have NFL’s 2nd best linebacking corps, per Willie McGinest
By Matt Conner
Former NFL Pro Bowler Willie McGinest says the Chiefs have one of the two top linebacking corps in the NFL.
Willie McGinest knows a thing or two about an elite defense. Not only did he win three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, but he was a serious contributor with 16 postseason sacks to his credit. So when McGinest says the Kansas City Chiefs linebackers are some of the best in the NFL, you’d be wise to listen.
In a recent column for NFL.com, McGinest says the Denver Broncos and Chiefs have the top two linebacking corps in the league. Not only this but he lists Ramik Wilson alongside the obvious stars of Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson, showing he’s paying attention to more than just the Pro Bowl names involved. He writes:
"The Chiefs might not be as athletic as some of the other teams on this list, but they play the run and get after the quarterback collectively better than any other group in the league when healthy. Yes, the Chiefs have some studs in the secondary, but this defense is successful because of its linebackers. They cover well, and as far as the run game and rushing the passer go, they’re as good as anybody. The Chiefs control the line of scrimmage and have strong, physical players in this unit. There isn’t just one player who stands out in this group. They are all solid."
What makes the Chiefs defense so compelling is that McGinest mentions the secondary and the elite players there while highlighting the linebacking corps, but Chris Jones is a future Pro Bowler along the defensive line who is also surrounded by solid veterans like Allen Bailey and Bennie Logan, in addition to the raw manbeast known as Tanoh Kpassagnon. In short, there’s something to love at every position on the Chiefs defense.