Chiefs’ Leaders on Defense Are Emerging Early in 2023 Training Camp

Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and safety Justin Reid are being counted on to lead a hungry defense through this year's training camp.

The 2023 NFL regular season is just a matter of weeks away, and the Kansas City Chiefs' attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions starts with building a solid foundation during training camp in St. Joseph, MO. 

With rookies, injured players, quarterbacks and all other veterans (minus defensive tackle Chris Jones) having reported to Missouri Western State University, camp is officially in full swing. Head coach Andy Reid's offense has some new pieces to work into the fold and the wide receiver position is a popular subject, but Steve Spagnuolo's defense was the main talking point on Sunday. 

Ranking 16th in points allowed and 11th in yards allowed this past season, the Chiefs' defense fielded rookies at all levels of the defense. Along the defensive line, George Karlaftis finished the regular season strong after getting off to a bit of a slow start. In the linebacking corps, Leo Chenal flashed his potential throughout the year. In the secondary — at cornerback and safety — 2022 NFL Draft picks provided valuable snaps all season long. 

The same leaders, for the most part, remain in place for the 2023-24 campaign. That brings a certain level of continuity, and it also raises the bar as far as expectations are concerned. With that in mind, linebacker Nick Bolton spoke to the media after practice about Kansas City's collective goal of fielding a top-10 defense this coming season.

"I think it starts with the guys up front," Bolton said. "I think we’ve got a lot of guys up front who can play Charles (Omenihu) coming in, Felix (Anudike-Uzomah) coming in, George coming into his second year, obviously Chris and we’ve got a lot of guys on the d-line. The secondary is older and me and Willie (Gay) are expected to play really well. Drue (Tranquill) another vet guy, Leo is coming back for another year. So a lot of guys got a lot of plays in this system. So, a lot of comfortability along our defense. So that’s what it takes for us to be a lot better than we were last year.”

Bolton, who led the team in tackles last year by a pretty comfortable margin, has emerged as one of the top leaders for Spagnuolo's defense. His head coach referred to him as a "transmitter" when praising his leadership abilities on Sunday, and it's expected that the former Missouri Tigers standout will take another step forward in his third year on the job. 

In the secondary, 2022 free agent pickup Justin Reid saw a significant uptick in the quality of his production once he got comfortable in the system last year. He is also counted on, like Bolton, to be a vocal leader and someone who sets a good example for those around him. While this will be Reid's second year with the Chiefs, he has numerous teammates that are entering their second years as professional athletes in general. On Sunday, the 26-year-old discussed the growth of Kansas City's defensive backfield. 

“I’m going to start with the second-year players, start with my partner in crime Bryan Cook," Reid said. "I mean, the guy is a baller, very cerebral player, probably the loudest communicator on the defense out of the DBs. You love to have that — a vocal guy that’s confident in the back end. All the young guys — Trent McDuffie, Jaylen (Watson), J-Will (Joshua Williams), Nazeeh Johnson are doing an amazing job. The young guys coming in Isaiah (Norman), Ekow (Boye-Doe). These guys, they have their ears wide open, they’re humble, they’re willing to learn. Spags’ (Spagnuolo's) system is not easy, but they’re willing to put in the work and we have good veterans in the room willing to lead them along and teach them."

For last year's rookies who are returning for another season, they have a lot better idea what a Chiefs training camp looks like. Their leadership will help push the newcomers along, but it's players such as Bolton and Reid that are presented as the standard early on. Their veteran wit and desire to improve will continue to stand out as camp practices roll on, and the building of that aforementioned foundation appears to be underway just one day in. 

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