This 23-year-old Chiefs player (and peacemaker) emerging as a leader: ‘He’s growing’
Bryan Cook is only a second-year player in the NFL — though it can be difficult to remember that when hearing his words or seeing his actions.
Take this play from Friday’s training camp practice at Missouri Western. Cornerback Dicaprio Bootle made contact with tight end Travis Kelce after the whistle and Kelce took exception, flinging his hands back toward Bootle.
That was when Cook — the Chiefs safety — stepped in to protect his defensive teammate while also trying to calm things down.
Cook made clear later he had no problem with Kelce’s competitiveness. Then again, Cook said there was one main reason he was trying to play peacemaker during the encounter.
“When we come to the point where we’re wasting time chatting too much and not getting the reps,” Cook said, “that’s the point I’m like, ‘OK, guys. Come on.’”
Sounds more like a coach-type quote than a player one, right?
It’s worth remembering that Cook is just 23. He started one NFL game last season and served most of the year as the team’s third safety.
Yet his response to potentially losing a few practice reps — knock it off, guys, we need to refocus — only further crystallizes his obsession with wanting to take in every learning opportunity.
And that’s so he can be as prepared as possible to start alongside Justin Reid this year on the back line of the Chiefs defense.
Cook’s mentality came through following another interview question, too. He was asked Friday if he enjoyed the team’s first full-padded practice, where guys were finally allowed to hit each other.
“I’m (in) a different mindset right now,” Cook said. “I’m just trying to get my guys to understand where we’re playing on every down as much as possible. That’s where my head is at.”
The word choice was again telling, with Cook using the term “my guys,” much like a defensive coordinator would. This from a player who, a year ago, was going through his first rookie camp himself.
Teammates say they’ve noticed Cook’s building presence on the back end. Last week, free-agent safety Mike Edwards said that Cook “looks phenomenal” and noted he was “making all the calls back there and looks like a vet.”
“He doesn’t look like he was a rookie last year,” Edwards said.
In mid-May, Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton also shared details about Cook’s developing demeanor. Bolton said he’d always been aware of Cook’s self-belief but recently the safety’s voice was becoming more assertive.
“If he’s 100% wrong, he makes you believe he’s 100% right,” Bolton said with a laugh in May. “So that’s the confidence you have to have on the back end. We’re loving that. He’s growing.”
Cook’s responsibilities, he says, are about way more than himself. He spoke frequently Friday about worrying about the nine guys in front of him, while presuming Reid would be next to him in the secondary.
“Make sure everybody’s knowing what they need to do, know the checks going on, because the faster they play, the faster I can play,” Cook said. “As long as everybody is in the right position in front of me, we’re good.”
Cook, whom the Chiefs selected in the second round of last year’s draft, is getting increased playing time following offseason roster attrition. Free agent Juan Thornhill signed a three-year, $21 million deal with Cleveland in May, though he was likely expendable because of the Chiefs’ belief that Cook could step into his role.
It’s a responsibility Cook takes seriously — especially when it comes to having complete knowledge of the defense.
“At the end of the day, the position of safety, my object is to get everybody lined up and ready to play,” Cook said. “Honestly speaking, I’m the last line of defense. So if I’m confused back there and I don’t know what’s going on, that’s a very big problem, especially with the guys in front of me. So my object is to be as confident, be as ready as I can be.”
Cook says he isn’t getting caught up with things that aren’t important now. He’s pacing his body to be ready for the regular season and wants to stay free of practice distractions that keep him from getting better.
The games are coming soon. And Cook wants to be sure “his guys” are ready for that moment.
“I’m just focused on learning as much as I can of the guys around me,” Cook said, “so when the time comes — when the bullets start flying — I can help whoever with whatever they need help with, from the rookie to the vet.”
