Allen Bailey brings more to the Chiefs than you might realize in 2018

Kansas City Chiefs DE Allen Bailey brings some important intangibles to the 2018 season that could determine the course of the entire team.

The Kansas City Chiefs defense heads into the 2018 season with many uncertainties swirling around Arrowhead—and Chiefs fans are worried.

With a load of rookie draft picks on the defensive side of the ball, a poor overall performance this preseason, a defensive coordinator on the hot seat, and the best player not practicing (Eric Berry), people are searching for some hope. Don’t despair (yet). There is one rock solid player you can count on to help make the 2018 Chiefs defense respectable, which is what the Chiefs need to win another division title.

Defensive end Allen Bailey has quietly been a consistent and reliable defensive player for the past seven seasons. Because of circumstance, he has become an important piece to the Chiefs success in 2018, starting this week against the Chargers. As a defensive lineman, Bailey doesn’t normally get much attention. I think that’s about to change. We are going to notice Bailey a lot this season. (I’ll tell you why in a minute.)

Many casual fans might be surprised that this is Bailey’s eighth season with the Chiefs. He was drafted in the 3rd round by former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli back in 2011.

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During his first two years in the NFL, Coach Todd Haley and Coach Romeo Crennel used the 4-3 scheme, where Bailey played defensive tackle. In 2013, Andy Reid took over as head coach and, along with defensive coordinator Bob Suttton, implemented the 3-4 Defense, when Bailey became an “end”, although technically he is more like a DT. (In the 3-4 scheme, Outside Linebackers essentially are the Defensive Ends).

Over the past seven seasons, we have watched Bailey play at a consistent level, plugging up the middle lanes and getting the occasional sack. Bailey has been doing this his whole career. Although he is not at a superstar level, only a few players on the defensive line ever reach that level of fame. Aaron Donald of the L.A. Rams is one example.

However, Bailey is a good, solid, consistent player. He has arguably been the Chiefs most dependable defensive player over the past 8 years, and he could be one of the Chiefs best defensive players this season. Don’t be surprised if 2018 is his best season ever.

That is if everything goes according to plan.

Here’s are 3 things Allen Bailey brings to the Chiefs this season. Altogether, these 3 factors could form a perfect storm for Bailey’s career and restore hope in the Chiefs defense.

1. Bailey is in a “contract year.”

On November 15th of 2014, the Chiefs gave Bailey a contract extension at 4 years for $25 million. Which means 2018 is now a “contract year” for Bailey.

In professional sports, when a player is on the last year of a contract, they call this final season a “contract year.” It is widely believed that a player who is in a contract year tends to be a more motivated player which then leads to a productive season. Players who are in a contract year will oftentimes have their best statistical season because the motivation kicks in to land a lucrative contract once the season is over.

A recent example of this phenomenon is Chiefs OLB Justin Houston. 2014 was a contract year for Houston, and this motivated him to produce one of the best seasons’ by an NFL defensive player in recent memory. Houston came close to breaking Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record. Houston finished 2014 with 22 sacks, which was just a half sack under Strahan’s 22.5.

Now in a contract year of his own, watch for Bailey to have possibly the best statistical seasons of his career. I’m not saying Bailey will get 22 sacks. What I am saying is Bailey could play the best football of his career in 2018, and that would help the Chiefs overcome their overall defensive weakness.

Of course, this will depend on Bailey staying healthy, which leads to my second reason why I think he could have a great season.

2. Bailey is durable.

When you look at the number of games Bailey has played each of his seven seasons, you will find a generally durable player who suits up almost every week.

The one exception was 2016 when Bailey suffered a torn pectoral muscle on October 16th against the Raiders and missed the last 11 games of the season.

When you look at Bailey’s six other seasons, he has averaged 13.5 games per year, which is an impressive display of physical durability for a defensive lineman who has played in the NFL that long.

The fact Bailey has seven seasons under is belt leads to my third reason why he brings so much hope to the Chiefs defense.

3. Bailey is a veteran leader.

The Chiefs could use some veteran leadership right now, as they drafted five defensive players in 2018, and three of those players were brought in to help stop the running game. Outside linebacekr Breeland Speaks will be lining up next to Bailey at times. Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi will be learning the d-Line, and linebacekr Dorian O’Daniel is another player the Chiefs are hoping to mold into a run stopper. All these young players will need veteran leadership to help them adjust to the pro game and be successful.

Bailey has the needed experience to help these young players mature and develop. The importance of his veteran leadership only grows when you factor in the departure of Derrick Johnson and the uncertainty with Eric Berry’s availability on the field. Let’s hope Allen Bailey has a monster season.

A player like Bailey is going to be a crucial piece to the success of this year’s defense. If the Chiefs have any hope of making the playoffs, they are going to have to stop the run. With all the rookies on defense, a rock solid, consistent veteran presence is desperately needed on the front line, which is why having Bailey return for his 8th season is so important and gives us some hope.

Getting a “career year” from Allen Bailey would be a bonus and couldn’t come at a better time. What the Chiefs do with Bailey after this season is a topic for another day.

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