Forgotten Chiefs defender could be the real key to 2026 turnaround

Coming into the 2026 offseason, the Chiefs knew that one of the biggest holes on their roster was at defensive tackle. Chris Jones was the only defensive tackle on the Kansas City roster who logged 2+ sacks on the season, and the struggle to generate interior pressure became increasingly clear. Brett Veach did not wait long to address the interior, signing former Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to a three-year deal on the first day of free agency.

Chiefs fans are excited about the idea of Jones and Tonga next to each other up front, and finally, it feels like Chris Jones will have some of the pressure taken off of him this season. But when discussing the Chiefs' defensive front, one name continues to be forgotten, and that is 2025 second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott.

Norman-Lott missed the majority of last season after suffering a torn ACL in just his fifth game of the season. But in the short time he was on the field, there were flashes that showed he had the skills to be an impact player on the Chiefs' defensive line.

Omarr Norman-Lott's rookie season was ruined by an injury, but he could become the x-factor up front for the Chiefs in '26.

The 2025 defensive tackle class was loaded, with five first-round DTs, and Norman-Lott was the eighth defensive tackle off the board when Kansas City selected him at pick 63. He was a game-wrecker for Tennessee in 2024, proving to be one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackle prospects in the nation. The Chiefs knew they needed to get superstar defensive lineman Chris Jones some help, and the hope was that Norman-Lott could provide that, especially on passing downs.

Coming out of Tennessee, the biggest concern for Norman-Lott was his size. He weighed in at just 6-2, 295 lbs, with many scouts saying he played under 290 when he was in college. But those same scouts were so impressed with his speed and quickness that he worked his way into Day 2 conversations. Once his weight came in above 290, the question became which team would take him in the top 75.

While he only logged 1 sack and 5 tackles in the 5 games he played as a rookie, Norman-Lott's impact stretched far beyond the stat sheet. He often altered the pocket and forced the quarterback to escape, resulting in a couple of incompletions and hurries. But after going down with a season-ending injury, the Chiefs struggled mightily to fill the gap he left behind.

The Chiefs' interior was not great against the run either, and Brett Veach addressed that early in free agency with Khyiris Tonga. But this did more than just help against the run, as bringing in Tonga will help open things up for Norman-Lott to come in fresh on passing downs to do what he does best. If he is able to return healthy, the Chiefs will enter 2026 with a much-improved interior defensive line and a strong three- to four-man rotation.

Maybe the most important thing the Chiefs needed to do this offseason was bolster the interior of the defensive line. It now feels like the Chiefs are just one 2026 NFL Draft pick away from finalizing that group. So far this offseason, the focus for many Kansas City fans has been on the Tonga signing, but it is worth noting that Norman-Lott's return to the field could pay substantial dividends for K.C. in 2026.