Why Justin Reid thinks Chiefs defense could be even better after winning Super Bowl
When an offense that has not ranked outside the top six in the NFL in scoring or yards since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback has an off day at training camp, it’s not always a look-in-the-mirror issue.
Sometimes, as safety Justin Reid reminds, the defense steps up.
“Previous training camps, it used to be when the offense wasn’t scoring a lot of points maybe it was because the offense had a bad day,” Reid said. “But this year, the defense is playing well, too. We’re trying to make it hard on the offense.”
The Chiefs defense does not have a more confident spokesman than Reid, in his second year on the team after spending his first four seasons with the Houston Texans. He sees a unit that benefits from the growth of several players that played in coordinator’s Steve Spagnuolo’s system for the first time in 2022, including five rookies in the secondary.
It was good enough to capture a second Super Bowl triumph in four years, and the defense even pitched in a touchdown in the triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles with linebacker Nick’s Bolton’s fumble return. The defense also came up with big stops in the playoff victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars.
But a group that finished 11th in yards allowed and 16th in points allowed last season leaves room to improve. Spagnuolo says the metric that influences his approach is defensive efficiency, which includes nine categories.
However the Chiefs are measured on defense, training camp performance suggests improvement, and that’s without top player, Chris Jones, working with the team because of a contract negotiation dispute. The first-to-second year growth is real, Reid insists.
“We watch film from this time last year to right now, especially with the first-team group,” Reid said. “There aren’t as many busts. Windows are tighter.”
Reid expects more from himself this season. He was a solid piece in 2022 but finished with no interceptions and one sack. He’s had as many as three picks in a season.
Reid came into camp about 10 pounds heavier, at 217, and still feels light.
“I was working like Keanu Reeves, you know, John Wick. It’s just assassin mentality,” Reid said. “I feel really good out here. I’m excited about what I’m going to be able to do to contribute to this defense and truly dominate this year and finally get some recognition and respect that I (haven’t) been able to get.”
That recognition hasn’t come just yet. Reid said he took notice that he received only an honorable mention on a recent list from ESPN of top safeties, compiled from front-office executives, scouts and coaches.
“I like to work hard, I like to be humble,” Reid said. “But there’s a little bit of it, too, that’s like in today’s game you have to advertise for yourself a little bit. So I feel like I have to put the message out there so people will pay attention.
“The tape doesn’t lie. When you turn on my tape you’ll see exactly where I belong. It’s never hard to motivate me. I take every little thing and I use it as a fire to light me up.”
This story was originally published August 5, 2023 at 1:27 PM.