Where’s the Chiefs’ pass-rush juice? Rookie aims to be part of solution vs. Giants
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs rank 26th in pressure rate despite a league-high 43.9% blitz rate
- Rookie Ashton Gillotte’s defensive snaps rose from 9 to 28 over two weeks
- Gillotte prepares for larger role as Chiefs target first 2025 win vs. Giants
Through two games, the Kansas City Chiefs’ pass rush has been inconsistent at best. And while the lack of pressure is a concern, it’s just one of several issues that have led to two straight losses to start the season.
Recognizing the pass rush could be improved this past offseason, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spent two of his three Day 2 draft picks on defensive linemen with pass-rush upside. Veach selected defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott and defensive end Ashton Gillotte three picks apart in the second and third rounds.
Over the first two weeks of the season, Gillotte has seen his snaps increase from nine against the Chargers to 28 against the Eagles, an indication that — while the pressure hasn’t necessarily come yet — KC defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is optimistic about his potential.
“(His snaps are) up for a reason: He’s played pretty good football for us,” Spagnuolo said, before noting that a Week 1 elbow injury probably shorted Gillotte reps in that game.
The defensive end has managed the ailment with daily treatment, using an elbow brace that runs from his left shoulder down to just above his wrist. His availability became even more crucial on Sunday when veteran Mike Danna left the game due to a hip injury.
“I think the guys are getting a lot of confidence in (Gillotte),” Spagnuolo said. “Every time I turn the one-on-ones on against our guys, I think he’s doing a really good job, so he’ll keep ticking upward.”
Watching Gillotte at Louisville, the Chiefs liked his bend off the edge and the similarities he shared with his mentor, Chiefs veteran pass-rusher George Karlaftis. Louisville co-defensive coordinator Mark Hagen coached Karlaftis at Purdue before moving on and working with Gillotte in Kentucky, and he actually connected the two prior to them becoming teammates in Kansas City.
Karlaftis’ signature trait is a relentless motor, something the Chiefs saw in Gillotte while watching his college tape — even at his playing weight of 265 pounds. The attribute led the 22-year-old to rack up 15 1/2 sacks as part of 118 pressures across his final two collegiate seasons.
Now, Spagnuolo wants to give Gillotte ample reps with the hopes that his production translates to the pros. Gillotte has been keeping his head in the playbook so he can make that happen sooner rather than later.
“The more you know the playbook, the more free you can play,” he said this week. “It’s starting to click a lot more — just being able to get it in high-speed scenarios. That’s the only way you’re going to get better at knowing your calls quick. That’s the biggest thing.
“You could know your playbook, but you’ve got to know it quick. Especially in the Eagles’ game, too, I felt good with everything I was given and how quick the calls were coming.”
Gillotte forced a pressure in each of Kansas City’s three preseason games and in the team’s Week 1 loss to the L.A. Chargers in Brazil.
“There’s a lot more to improve,” Gillotte said. “I do good, but there’s a higher standard I hold myself to. Being able to see that in a game, now I know specifics on what to work out. It’s been a good learning experience.”
Despite a league-leading 43.9% blitz rate, the Chiefs rank 26th in pressure rate (15.2%) — and while the elusiveness of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts factors into those numbers, there is no denying that it needs to be better.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson enters Sunday night’s game as the seventh-most pressured quarterback in the NFL (25.6%) through two weeks, suggesting he could be ripe for the taking.
Gillotte wants to be part of the solution that helps the Chiefs earn their first win of 2025.
“It’s not the start you want, but we know what kind of people we have, what kind of culture we have,” he said. “The team can win. We’re going to rally around that fact.”
