Four positive themes emerging for the Kansas City Chiefs

It has not been the typical beautiful start for the 2021 Kansas City Chiefs. For six weeks, the two-time defending AFC Champion hovered either at or below .500, something few would have guessed before the season started.

For the first time since their loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Kansas City Chiefs have eked their way above .500 sitting at five wins and four losses. Similar to the start of the season, the Green Bay Packers game wasn’t always pretty but the Chiefs continued to give themselves a chance.

If that game told us anything it’s that while this Chiefs coaching staff and roster have displayed flaws heretofore unexpected by everyone, there are a number of positives creating a seed of momentum for the sleeping giant.

The addition of Melvin Ingram on defense

The Chiefs’ defense has had a dreadful start to this season, but probably the biggest red flag is their pass rush (or complete lack thereof). Through nine games the team has sacked the opposing quarterback only 12 times—production that simply won’t get it done if the Chiefs want to repeat as AFC Champions.

This past week they traded for Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Melvin Ingram, the former three-time Pro Bowler for the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs got Ingram for cheap, trading only a sixth-round pick, but there was a serious question as to how much the former star could produce the ripe old age of 32.

It’s still early, but if Sunday was any indication Ingram still has some gas left in the tank. In his first snap as a Chiefs player, Ingram exploded off the line and drove the Packers right tackle all the way back into Jordan Love.

Chiefs fans will likely have to wait a few weeks for Ingram to settle in, but early returns were promising. If Ingram can provide any spark, it may be just what the Chiefs defense needs to get back on track.