Snap counts always look different during a rout. When a team dominates another, such as the Kansas City Chiefs' victory over the visiting New York Jets in Week 9, it's not uncommon for starters to get pulled and for backups and rookies to get more playing time than normal knowing that the stakes are considerably lower with, say, a 23-point lead.
Given that the Chiefs rolled over the Jets by a final score of 35-12, it's a bit tougher to draw some real conclusions or discern patterns in the snap counts for Week 9. But that won't stop us from trying. Even with the outlier of a game, there are still things worth noting—for better or for worse.
Equally respected young receivers
The Kansas City Chiefs are likely on the verge of bringing in a new wide receiver before the NFL's trade deadline, which is going to shake up the depth chart. But figuring exactly who might be the odd man out as an import takes over is a tough one.
In the wake of wide receiver injuries early in the season, the Chiefs have been leaning on a trio of young receivers in secondary (or tertiary roles). That's led to Andrew Armstrong, Cyrus Allen, and Jalen Royals essentially getting the same amount of playing time over the last two games. Check out the following table:
Allen's snaps have varied the most, but his highs are more than Armstrong. Royals was Rashee Rice's replacement while he was out with a hamstring, but his role has shifted since then. Consequently, it's hard to tell who will be the odd man out after Tuesday's deadline.
Four tight ends!
Jared Wiley has been a mostly inactive player for the Chiefs for most of this season after failing to secure the TE3 role out of training camp over Jake Briningstool. Wiley was active in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks but played a single offensive snap. On Sunday, against the Jets, Wiley was on the field for 7 snaps on offense, which was a major step forward even in garbage time for K.C.
That much is notable because it means the Chiefs had four tight ends active, and it'll be interesting to see whether the offense keeps that many around in weeks to come. Given the dearth of talent at wideout, at least before the trade deadline, it makes sense to look elsewhere for pass catchers who could help the team out. But it's also safe to wonder if the Chiefs will perhaps look at that very position for further help—Dallas Goedert, perhaps?—if prices on WRs seem too steep.
Jeffrey Bassa is stuck in the doghouse
Chiefs fans have watched Jack Cochrane struggling at times to keep up in coverage for most of this season in the wake of Leo Chenal's departure. It's both infuriating and confusing knowing that the team has two young linebackers in the fold who could step into a greater share of responsibility in Jeffrey Bassa and Cooper McDonald. But at the last the latter has the excuse of being on injured reserve for the first month of the year.
Bassa played a single snap on Sunday. He also played one snap in Week 8 against the Broncos and he played two snaps against the Seahawks in Week 7. Oh yeah, there was also a two-snap appearance in Week 6 versus the Chargers. For the most athletic linebacker on the roster to receive the fewest amount of snaps speaks volumes. Something is keeping the coaches from trusting him with anything more than special teams reps, which is a frustrating use of his talents.
Ashton Gillotte is seizing a meaningful role
When Ashton Gillotte suffered a ruptured plantar fascia in mid-August, it was a major hurdle for a second-year defensive end expected to take a big leap forward after a middling freshman season. The Chiefs looked thinner on the edge at the time than they are now, and Gillotte's inability to provide strong early-season reps made a lot of fans forget about his potential.
Since the team's Week 5 bye, however, as he's gotten healthier, Gillotte is commanding plenty of respect and attention from both fans and coaches. The response is an increasing amount of reps—from 53 percent of snaps in Week 6 to 70 percent last Sunday. Gillotte is trending toward starter status opposite George Karlaftis, and he's proving to be a well-rounded player who should only get better with more experience.
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