Chiefs safety Alohi Gilman reveals biggest adjustment since signing in Kansas City
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Gilman says the Chiefs’ defense’s depth and way Spagnuolo schemes is big adjustment.
- Gilman says he is making mistakes during Phase 2 while learning the scheme.
- Gilman credits Chiefs coaches and teammates for teaching, building, and supporting him.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Alohi Gilman isn’t afraid to admit he’s ticked off.
In a good way.
The 28-year-old signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs this offseason after spending the first five years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before making a stop in 2025 with the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, in the midst of Phase 2 of the Chiefs’ offseason, he’s learning all that goes into defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s complex, smoke-and-mirrors-type system — and he’s making mistakes along the way.
During a Thursday Zoom call with local media, Gilman shared one of those moments from a walkthrough.
“I would make some different checks that may be wrong,” he said. “To me, in my head, based on my experience, I’ve seen different things. I would ask questions like, ‘Why? What’s the purpose of doing it this way? Is it preference? Is it scheme-related? What’s X, Y, and Z?’”
Gilman is striving to learn the meaning behind the calls not only from the coaching staff, but also from the green dot of the defense, Nick Bolton. Team captain Bolton has been there to explain the purpose behind the plays.
“In a way, it (ticks) me off,” Gilman said. “But it’s a good thing because you’ve got to make those mistakes, and I’m going to be making (them) for a while until we get to the games. And when it’s game time, that’s when it’s time to go and execute.
“So I’m all full-go. I’m going to make every mistake possible and just continue to grow and learn, and the group has been good.”
As a new free safety in Spagnuolo’s defense, Gilman is beginning to understand the importance of communication and alignment, which allow the Chiefs’ pre-snap disguises to work. Some plays may call for him to drop into zone coverage, while others may see him cover a man or serve as a midfield robber.
The KC playbook is extensive, which means a non-contact day in early May — four months ahead of the season — truly matters. Gilman may have played for two other clubs and four different coordinators, but it sounds like nothing prepares you for the comprehensiveness of Spagnuolo’s system.
“The depth and the way that he’s able to put together his scheme is probably the biggest adjustment,” Gilman said. “A lot of different little nuances — whether it’s preference or scheme, stuff that he’s been able to put together throughout the years. ...
“I’ve seen pretty much a lot of different — most of — the coverages since I’ve been in the league, but just the depth and the detail is definitely the biggest adjustment. And it makes it fun for me.”
Gilman acknowledged the volume is greater than any previous defensive scheme he has played in. What’s aided in his learning curve is that the Chiefs’ attendance during Phase 2 has been exemplary.
“There’s been pretty much everyone here, which is always a good sign on a winning team,” he said. “I’d say the guys are bought in. And it’s just spending time in the building, but outside the building, building those relationships. So it just starts with the basics, getting to know somebody outside of football, who these guys are, and building that camaraderie.
“It takes time, and everyone’s at different stages in their lives. So it’s a different dynamic in the NFL, but it’s fun and it’s cool. The group of guys I’ve been around has been great. They’re all workers and grinders and very like-minded people, so it’s been fun.”
When veteran players join new teams, they rarely make sweeping statements that reflect past inefficiencies. But Gilman had high praise for the instruction the Chiefs’ coaching staff is providing him.
“I think this is probably the best group of, in terms of staff, teachers that I’ve been around,” he said. “(Because) that’s what they are, they’re teachers and they’re builders. So I’ve been able to dive into it and get just enough where it’s kind of frustrating.”
Gilman chuckled.
“It’s a lot,” he added, “but enough that it allows me to grow and to learn and get better, and dive into the playbook more and more and in depth.”
Even though Gilman is five years older than such new teammates as safety Jaden Hicks or cornerback Nohl Williams, he’s been humble enough to know that they may have answers to better prepare him.
“I’ll pull them on the side (and say), ‘Hey, let’s watch some film, let’s go do a little walkthrough right here,’” Gilman said. “So it’s a collaboration. I’m in the learning phase, so it’s not about coming in here and taking over and there’s none of that. I’m learning.
“I want to be a part of this, so that’s all that it’s been for me and the guys have been great. They’ve just been open-armed and say, ‘Hey, what can I do to help?’ Everyone’s been workers, so it’s been really fun.”
Sure, the little mistakes are ticking him off. But in a good way.
