Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ most vital participant, however their protection has additionally performed a pivotal function of their latest success.
When the Chiefs received their fourth Tremendous Bowl throughout the 2023 season, they allowed the league’s second-fewest factors (17.3) throughout the common season. Final season, Kansas Metropolis returned to the Tremendous Bowl, and the protection was elite once more. The unit ranked fourth within the league in factors allowed (19.2) throughout the common season.
The Chiefs understand they need to preserve the protection intact to win extra championships. Kansas Metropolis and EDGE George Karlaftis agreed to a four-year, $93M contract with $62M assured on Sunday (by way of ESPN’s Adam Schefter).
Karlaftis will now be making greater than Minnesota Vikings EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel ($23M per 12 months), a 2024 second-team All-Professional. The 2022 first-round decide earned no All-Professional choices in his first three seasons with the Chiefs. He additionally reached no Professional Bowls.
The Chiefs, nonetheless, most likely did not overpay for Karlaftis. The 24-year-old might be an ascending participant after recording 24.5 sacks in his first three seasons with the staff.
In his annual place rankings survey, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler did not checklist Karlaftis in his high 10, however the two-time Tremendous Bowl champion acquired an honorable point out.
“Fast off the ball, has excellent hand utilization and mixes strikes very effectively. He is all the time damaging within the run recreation,” an NFC government stated of Karlaftis, based on Fowler.
The Chiefs ranked fifteenth in factors scored final season (22.6). Their offense may proceed to underwhelm throughout the 2025 season.
Kansas Metropolis took Ohio State offensive deal with Josh Simmons (decide No. 32) within the 2025 NFL Draft, however their offensive line nonetheless appears shaky. Per Pro Football Reference, the Chiefs tied for fourth within the league in pressures allowed (163) final season.
Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce, who turns 36 on Oct. 5, could also be slowing. He had three landing catches in 16 regular-season video games final season, his fewest since his rookie season in 2013.
To rebound from a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX, the Chiefs want their protection to be stellar once more. Conserving Karlaftis ought to assist the unit stay among the many league’s finest.
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