Sixty-four days. That's all we've got until the Kansas City Chiefs kick off their season on "Monday Night Football" in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. But as that countdown ticks away, a massive question mark hangs over their secondary: How in the world are they going to replace Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie?
The Tackling Titans Are Gone, And It's a Problem
Yeah, you heard that right. Cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, who both balled out for the Chiefs last season, are now rocking Los Angeles Rams jerseys. And their absence is no joke. Watson led all Chiefs cornerbacks with a whopping 64 tackles last season. McDuffie wasn't far behind, laying out 63. Combine those two, and that's a mind-blowing 127 tackles the Chiefs' secondary has to make up!
Think about that for a second. Watson's 64 tackles and McDuffie's 63 weren't just good numbers for corners; they were fifth and sixth-highest on the entire team! That tells you exactly how essential they were to the defense. Watson especially brought the physicality, whether he was locking down receivers with effective press-man coverage or absolutely shutting down runs off the edge with his sound tackling on the perimeter. The dude was a tackling machine. Pro Football Focus even had his missed tackle rate in 2025 at a ridiculously low 5.8%. Only linebacker Drue Tranquill (3.7%) and safety Bryan Cook (5.6%) had lower rates among the entire defense. Those are elite numbers, folks, and those guys are GONE.
Rookie Mansoor Delane Has a Mountain to Climb
So, what now? Enter rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane. This kid's got a high standard to meet, and it's not just about covering receivers. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme demands cornerbacks who can tackle, pure and simple. Delane isn't just filling shoes; he's got to fill Watson's shoes on the outside, which means he needs to be focused on more than just pass coverage. He's got to bring that tackling prowess from day one, or the Chiefs are going to be in a tough spot.
It's not just Delane either. The preseason is going to be absolutely critical for evaluating the tackling skills of every other cornerback on that roster. When you lose two guys who contributed 127 tackles, and who were as efficient as Watson was, every single player on the backend has to step up. The importance of tackling for a starting cornerback in Spagnuolo's scheme cannot be overstated, and right now, that's a gaping hole for Kansas City.
The Legacy of No. 64
Speaking of 64, that jersey number has some history for the franchise. Before he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons this summer, former Chiefs offensive tackle Wanya Morris was set to wear it. But the No. 64 has a legacy stretching way back, with guys like Curt Merz, who snagged two AFL championships, first as a defensive end for the Dallas Texans and then as a right guard on the 1966 Chiefs squad that went to Super Bowl I. Billy Krisher and Rudy Niswanger also wore it, and let's not forget Eric Kush from 2013, who apparently had the best name of the bunch. But right now, the number 64 isn't just about history; it's a stark reminder of the 64 tackles from Jaylen Watson that the Chiefs desperately need to replace if they want to hit the ground running against the Broncos.
So, when Week 1 finally rolls around, all eyes will be on that Chiefs secondary. Can Delane rise to the occasion? Can the other corners prove their tackling chops in preseason? The Chiefs need answers, and fast, because the Broncos are waiting, and those 127 missing tackles aren't going to replace themselves.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.