The Kansas City Chiefs' defense will look dramatically different in 2026. With voids created on all three levels—with the departures of Trent McDuffie, Leo Chenal, Charles Omenihu, Jaylen Watson, and more—there's some intrigue about the incoming defenders who were brought in.
Kansas City typically goes after defenders with size and strength, especially on the defensive line. However, the Chiefs went with more athleticism to bolster the positions this year.
That leads to fresh opportunities for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and how he may deploy his players. Overall, the Chiefs going after different shapes and play styles than usual opens the ability to incorporate new wrinkles.
Could Kansas City use newer personnel pre-snap? It may not happen at an alarming rate. Though, there is a chance that the Chiefs are built to attack with opposite looks than they are accustomed to in base defense. Sprinkling in looks out of a 3-4 front is not impossible to imagine in 2026.
Rookie class presents expandable deployment options
Let's start with defenders from this year's rookie draft class. Peter Woods does not present the most beef of young defensive tackle prospects. R Mason Thomas is more bendy than any pass rusher the Chiefs have had in quite some time. Meanwhile, Mansoor Delane does not possess the same length that K.C. defensive backs generally present.
If the Chiefs are going to sprinkle in more 3-4 looks from time to time, Woods offers flash as someone who could shade out beyond 3-technique. His mix of power and lateral quickness pairs well with the pass rush repertoire of Chris Jones. Jones, of course, has flexed out to defensive end on occasion. On the flip side, newcomer Khyiris Tonga can handle traditional nose tackle snaps if Kansas City opts to get creative with those three defensive tackles at once.
Thomas is not incapable of rushing the passer with his hand in the dirt. However, it would not be the worst thing in the world if Kansas City gave the Oklahoma product shots as a stand-up rusher. After losing Chenal in free agency, Thomas can simulate the same explosion that the linebacker offered when Chenal crept down near the line of scrimmage.
The ability to interchange some roles and alignments in the defensive front is alluring. Spagnuolo can have a field day by rotating these linemen to adjusted spots. Along with George Karlaftis, the Chiefs now have the quickness to pair with their usual power to run through blockers.
Aiding the skill-specific linebackers
At linebacker, who steps up beyond Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill? Cooper McDonald is a name the team has high hopes for. Can McDonald realistically handle responsibilities that are concentrated near the line of scrimmage? If so, that could lead to him gaining an upper hand on snaps that were vacated by Chenal's departure.
Beyond flexing down, Bolton and Tranquill could be aided tremendously by sprinkling in 3-4 looks. The less they are asked to turn and run, the more it benefits the Chiefs. Keeping them in the middle of the field and attacking forward is where they are at their best. Due to their sure tackling, slight increases to 3-4 snaps may allow Bolton and Tranquill to focus more on seeing the ball and getting to it more swiftly.
Sprinkling in new looks could get KC back to closing out games
Spagnuolo has never been afraid to throw wild disguises at opposing offenses. But in a season that will bring some transition to this defense, it is easy to envision him tapping into a 3-4 look here and there. Kansas City struggled to get off the field so much on third down and late in the game last year.
Tapping into this attack in specific moments would allow the Chiefs to charge into the backfield with more bodies. And quite frankly, they have even more quickness and power potential upfront than they ever did last season. By no means will Kansas City run this look at a high rate. But if they do so at all, there are a multitude of ways in which Spagnuolo could get this defense back to their clutch ways.
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