The Kansas City Chiefs defense clocked a seriously concerning number last season, notching just 60 passes defended. That's right, sixty. That measly total ranked them 26th across the entire NFL. Talk about a wake-up call, right? It was also a new low for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and that's saying something when you consider some of his previous seasons even had one less week on the schedule.
When "Low" Becomes a New Standard
Look, nobody's expecting the Chiefs to be breaking records for deflecting passes every year, but this 2025 season PBU total is a genuine head-scratcher. Just to put it in perspective, check out their numbers from previous years: 71 in 2024 (16th ranked), 72 in 2023 (20th), 85 in 2022 (6th), 69 in 2021 (20th), 64 in 2020 (19th), and 65 in 2019 (23rd). The trend here isn't pretty. Not only did their passes defended tank, but their interception count was also pretty weak, landing them 22nd in the league with just 10 picks. If you want to win, you gotta make plays on the ball, period. And for a team that's supposed to be a contender, ranking 26th in PBUs and 22nd in picks? That's not just a slump; that's a serious defensive issue staring them down.Who's Stepping Up After the Exodus?
Here's another kicker: three of the top six guys who were actually getting their hands on passes last season are gone. Poof. So, who's left to shoulder the load? Second-year cornerback Nohl Williams is definitely going to be under the microscope. He was tied for the team lead with seven passes defended, so he's gonna need to build big on that. Linebacker Nick Bolton was right behind him with six, which is solid for a backer. But honestly, one of the biggest red flags is the defensive line. Pass rushing used to be a strength, batting down balls at the line of scrimmage, but last season, only six of those 60 passes defended came from linemen. Six! Edge rusher George Karlaftis alone had five in 2024. That's a massive drop-off, and it puts a ton of pressure on the secondary to somehow make up the difference when the front isn't getting those deflections. It means more passes completed, more drives extended, and more chances for opponents to score. With 60 days until they kick off their season against the Denver Broncos on "Monday Night Football" in Week 1, the Chiefs defense has some serious questions to answer. The number 60, by the way, is also worn by offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad, who's entering his third year and needs to earn his spot as a backup center and guard. Historically, guys like Matt Herkenhoff, Al Reynolds, and George Daney wore that number with the Chiefs, though Herkenhoff played during a "dark age" for the franchise, missing out on the championship highs of Reynolds and Daney. The defense cannot afford another "dark age" if they want to get back to form. Can Nohl Williams step up and lead a turnaround, or is this new low a sign of bigger problems to come? We'll find out soon enough.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.