Arrowhead Pride
Cameron Jordan’s name was connected with the Kansas City Chiefs so often this offseason that it almost felt like when, not if, he signed with the Chiefs.
That dream is now dead.
The 15-year veteran defensive end has signed a 1-year contract to continue his career with the only team he’s ever suited up for, the New Orleans Saints. Early reports indicate the deal has a base value of $7.5 million, with incentives that could elevate the total value to $11 million.
That’s a pretty penny for a 37-year-old defensive end. It’s the kind of money you pay to keep a franchise icon with the team for one final run. The same calculus wouldn’t have worked for a team like the Chiefs.
Cameron Jordan is no longer an option. Now what?
That’s the question general manager Brett Veach is surely asking his front-office mates. It’s fair to assume the team has a plan. But before we get to my personal answer to the question, let’s lay out the role the Chiefs are trying to fill on their defense. This is going to require some simple math, so please bear with me.
Kansas City’s defense was on the field for approximately 1,000 snaps last year, which means the defensive end duo should aim for approximately 2,000 snaps in total for the upcoming season. That’s the end goal. How do you get there?
Let’s start with the obvious: George Karlaftis plays approximately 80 percent of the snaps when healthy. Lock him in for approximately 800 snaps next year. That leaves 1,200 snaps to cover.
Ashton Gillotte covered 485 snaps last season. The expectation should be for him to make another slight jump in both performance and playing time, so let’s lock Gillotte in for 500 snaps. 700 snaps to go.
Rookie R Mason Thomas is unlikely to start the season in a full-time role for the Chiefs. Don’t shoot the messenger. This isn’t my decision; it’s a trend of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He generally brings young guys along slowly. Let’s lock Thomas in for 350 snaps this year. If nothing else, that gets him on the field for obvious passing downs as a rookie. It’s a start.
That leaves another 350 snaps yet uncovered. Call it the “Mike Danna” role.
The Chiefs are missing someone to play on the edge for early ‘grind-it-out’ downs in order to force the opposition into obvious passing situations. Is fourth-year defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah ready to fill that role? It feels like a big ask for a player with fewer than 600 defensive snaps in his NFL career.
But that’s what the current roster demands. And that’s why so many are calling for a new addition along the edge.
Jordan would have been a great addition. He’s a perfect fit for the role the Chiefs are seeking, but he’s also someone who can command far more playing time with the Saints than he likely would have earned in Kansas...
