Wednesday training camp notebook: Spagnuolo shares notes on 4 key players

Wednesday training camp notebook: Spagnuolo shares notes on 4 key players
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After Kansas City’s second training camp practice, the defensive coordinator spoke about some projected 2025 contributors.

On Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo held his first press conference of training camp. Head coach Andy Reid speaks every other day, and the coordinators rotate through on the other day.

During the media session, Spagnuolo offered updates on four projected contributors for 2025.

DE George Karlaftis

On Sunday, Kansas City signed defensive end George Karlaftis to a four-year contract extension, evidence of his importance to Spagnuolo’s operation.

“The first thing that sticks out with George is his character,” said Spagnuolo. “The one thing that Brett and Andy do a great job of? We bring in a lot of good character guys. That’s huge — in my opinion — in today’s pro sports, because usually when you’re a high-character guy, you’re unselfish. George has got all of that, and then his ability and his intelligence.

“I can remember when (defensive line coach) Joe [Cullen] and I did the Zoom call with George, because I think he was the COVID draft. You guys would remember better than me, but I just remember that came out in a Zoom interview. All of that: how much he loved football. High-character guy. And Brett does a great job keeping those guys here.”

LB Nick Bolton

While it took until the summer to reach an agreement with Karlaftis, MIKE linebacker Nick Bolton signed his three-year contract in mid-March.

“He’s just about everything,” said Spagnuolo. “He’s Patrick Mahomes for us. I’ve said this before, and we’re pretty multiple defensively, so if you don’t have that guy, it gets really challenging.”

Bolton had been due for unrestricted free agency, and it was unclear if he would return to the club.

“Back when we didn’t know if we were getting Nick, in my mind I was preparing for, ‘If we don’t have Nick, what do we do?’ And it’s just not the same. So thank God he’s here.”

DB Chamarri Conner

Some fans have hoped Conner would slide to a traditional safety role after the club added corner Kristian Fulton — but with Fulton opening camp on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list, Conner has stayed at first‑team nickel.

Still, it sounds like Conner’s role will continue to evolve throughout training camp and as he enters Year 3.

“I’m really excited about Chamarri,” noted Spagnuolo. “I just watch him out there. He’s become a little bit of a multiple-position guy, which is a good thing. I think you’re going to see him — you’re certainly going to see him at nickel. You’re gonna see him at safety — and then if we get into some more exotic personnel packages, he’ll be in there. I think he’s an explosive athlete we’ve got to get out on the field.”

CB Nohl Williams

The Chiefs selected cornerback Nohl Williams out of California in the third round of this year’s draft. During organized team activities (OTAs), Spagnuolo said that it seemed...