Steve Spagnuolo might like Chiefs’ rookies, but they still need to earn playing time
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has nothing against rookies. He’s played them in opening games, praised them when they’ve succeeded.
But Spagnuolo won’t buy into hype, and if he has a reputation for not raving over players who have yet to play a NFL regular-season snap, it has nothing to do with their standing on the team.
“Here’s my thing with anybody and anything, take the ‘rookie’ off of it,” Spagnuolo said. “I believe you have (to) earn anything you get.”
As he said that Monday, Spagnuolo brought his down on the podium for emphasis.
“Whether that’s rookies, whether that’s a new guy coming in, a new coach, you’ve got earn it,” Spagnuolo said. “That’s what this league is all about. You earn what you get.”
Rookies are being presented the chance to play for this team. Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs’ first draft pick — No. 21 overall — has started both preseason games.
The Chiefs’ other first-round selection, defensive end George Karlaftis, has recorded a sack in both games. In the victory over Washington on Saturday, others from the draft class like safety Brian Cook and cornerbacks Joshua Williams and Justin Watson had taken first-half snaps when mostly first- and second-team players saw action.
Spagnuolo has said he expects mistakes from his rookies and prefers not to hold expectations for the unproven players.
“There’s an assumption that I have certain expectations,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re hopeful when we get a certain guy, but I’m always starting from ground zero and building from there and trying to get them from point A to point B.
“Some of those guys are getting there quicker than others.”
In a small sample size, the results have been positive. Much has been made of the Chiefs’ offense scoring touchdowns on each of the three Patrick Mahomes-led drives. The defense has done its part, forcing punts on its four possessions.
Against the Commanders, the starting defense surrendered 53 yards and three first downs. A week earlier at Chicago, the Bears went three-and-out and punted again after picking up a first down.
The schemes on both sides have been basic. That’s not likely to change with the Chiefs’ next game, the preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead. The big ramp up comes after as the Chiefs prepare for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener at the Arizona Cardinals.
The Chiefs have a nice mix of proven players and newcomers. The rookie class is balanced by such players as fourth-year safety Juan Thornhill, linebackers Willie Gay and Nick Bolton and most players in the end and tackle rotations. An important newcomer is safety Justin Reid, a fifth-year pro.
That gives Spagnuolo some comfort that the defense can come together quickly, even with rookies playing important roles.
“This year might be a little different,” Spagnuolo said with a smile. “We’ve got to put somebody out there.”
This story was originally published August 23, 2022 at 5:00 AM.