KC Chiefs: 3 contract extensions that need immediate attention

Linebacker Willie Gay Jr.

Chiefs fans may not want to admit it, but the Kansas City defense works much better with linebacker Willie Gay Jr. on the field. If Veach wants a long-lasting linebacker duo, locking up Gay is the first step.

2022 was a career year for Gay in many aspects. He logged career highs in sacks, tackles, pressures, and more. He improved significantly in coverage, only allowing one touchdown all season despite being targeted 54 times. Fans complain about linebacker Nick Bolton’s lackluster coverage skills, but that is why Gay is so important. Bolton is the thumping, stout linebacker, while Gay has sideline-to-sideline speed and uber athleticism. That raw speed flashed plenty during the 2022 season, and he made some key plays. Spagnuolo deployed Gay as a great blitzer on the weak side, giving opposing offensive lines another wrinkle to worry about in 2022.

Gay might not be as important to the Chiefs’ defense as Jones or Sneed, but he is a key player nonetheless. He has shown great potential in his previous seasons with the Chiefs and his growth under Spagnuolo’s guidance will be crucial for the team’s success. With his legal issues behind him, Gay can now focus on further improving his skills and securing a promising future with the Chiefs.