Three defensive storylines for Chiefs ahead of next week’s voluntary OTAs in KC
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Phase three OTAs run May 26–28 and June 1–3, concluding with minicamp.
- Chiefs traded up to pick LSU CB Mansoor Delane sixth overall; he'll get heavy reps.
- GM said Norman-Lott will be at OTAs but likely ease in, possibly in a red jersey.
The third phase of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason program begins next week — Tuesday, May 26 — providing a first on-field look at the 2026 version of the team.
The Chiefs are scheduled to hold six organized team activity (OTA) practices: May 26-28 and June 1-3. Phase three will conclude with mandatory minicamp from June 1-3.
The media’s first look at the Chiefs is scheduled for Thursday, May 28. With that, here are three storylines of interest.
A new-look defensive backfield
The Chiefs made a splash on the first night of the NFL Draft, trading up to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the sixth overall pick.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is sometimes notoriously slow to bring along rookies, but it would be surprising if Delane didn’t get a heavy dose of first-team reps this spring.
The more interesting aspect of the cornerback room will be who starts on the boundary on the other side: Kristian Fulton, who has six years of experience but had a disappointing, injury-ridden first season in Kansas City? Or now-second-year cornerback Nohl Williams, who flashed during the 2025 season but may still be considered raw?
With Trent McDuffie out of the picture, how soon will Spagnuolo begin testing a new nickel cornerback? Will we see rookie Jadon Canady or veteran signee Kader Kohou get early action? Or will it be Chamarri Conner, who we know he likes, to start?
If it’s Canady or Kohou, could Conner fall back into more traditional safety work next to newcomer Alohi Gilman — and where does that leave Jaden Hicks?
This first look is only the initial chapter of many that will determine the Chiefs’ lineup. But that doesn’t make it any less fascinating.
How healthy is defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott?
Lost in the offseason exodus of key defensive players and a defensive-focused draft is how high the Chiefs were on last year’s second-round pick, Omarr Norman-Lott. “I was really happy with the way Omarr was progressing,” Spagnuolo said in January. “Remember, he went through the injuries and that sets you back as a rookie a little bit but then, he started to find a groove and then he got hurt. So, he’s got that challenge of getting back there and getting healthy and being in shape.”
Norman-Lott suffered an ankle injury during the team’s first padded practice of training camp in late July 2025, and it hindered him throughout camp and the preseason. Because of the ankle issue, he wouldn’t make his debut until Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, against whom he registered his only sack of the season.
Norman-Lott lost another game in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars because of a shoulder injury, and then he tore his ACL in Week 7 (October).
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach sounded optimistic about his recovery during draft weekend. “I think you’ll see him out there at OTAs, and exactly at what point he’ll be just full-go at those OTAs, we’ll see,” Veach said. “But I certainly think that he’ll be ready to rock and roll for St. Joe, and I think he’ll do a lot at the OTA.
“I don’t know if we’ll take the red jersey off him. We probably will let that slowly happen and let him kind of acclimate and ease his way into this, but expect to have him for the start training camp.”
The wrinkle for Norman-Lott is that the Chiefs added two new defensive tackles — veteran Khyiris Tonga and rookie Peter Woods — since he was last on the field. The positive is that both profile as early-down defensive tackles, and Kansas City loves Norman-Lott for his pass-rushing upside.
How many practices will a 31-year-old Chris Jones attend?
When it comes to veterans, and especially four-time All-Pro, three-time-Super Bowl champion veterans such as Chris Jones, whether or not they attend OTAs can sometimes be up in the air.
Over the years, Jones’ OTA attendance has been mixed depending on contract negotiations and his need for veteran rest. But he was present for all the open-media looks at this time last year.
Jones’ current contract runs through 2028, but Kansas City could get out after this season with more than $28 million of cap savings with a designated June 1 release, according to Spotrac. Per Pro Football Focus, Jones finished third in the league among defensive tackles with 63 generated pressures in 2025, but he only had 7.0 sacks.
