Chiefs roster evaluation: Defensive line brought the pressure in 2020

What did we learn?

In 2019, Kansas City Chiefs fans were reminded that a season is 16 games. Every game matters, but what really matters is what the team can do in the final two months of the regular season. Fans were reminded that putting together an entirely new defensive coaching staff that implemented a new scheme, and mixing that with a plethora of new starting talent takes time to work out the kinks.

Fans were reminded that Brett Veach was chosen to take over as the general manager for a reason. If it wasn’t for his roster construction, the Super Bowl might not have happened. He put together a team that was deep enough to withstand all of the injuries that it endured, yet still go 12-4 and win the Super Bowl.

All the way down to the end of the season, Veach was working hard to make sure the defensive line had enough talent. He claimed Terrell Suggs off the waiver wire in Week 16, immediately after Okafor left for IR. Despite fans screaming on social media when he wouldn’t trade the farm at the trade deadline, he stuck to his guns and made the right decision. Not only did Kansas City bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Arrowhead, but they also did it while keeping their draft capital and not overspending for players midseason.

The lesson for 2019 is to be patient. Give things time to evolve and develop instead of rushing to make judgments. It took some time to get going, but the defensive line showed just how dominant it could be when it mattered. The Chiefs defensive line played a significant role in getting Kansas City to the Super Bowl.