Kansas City Chiefs: Youth Movement with defense

If you happened to read my first article of my “Youth Movement Series”, I broke down the youth overload on offense. This time around, as stated in the title, I will break down the youth on defense, and the potential it possesses.

There is no question that the defense was a struggle during the 2017-’18 season for the Kansas City Chiefs. Some blame the defensive coordinator, while others blame the unlucky “curse” casted on the organization.

However, something mentioned far too little about the defense is simply due to one word: Age. Yeah, I am sure you saw that coming, based off of the title. But, this particular word makes a ton of sense.

Veteran leadership is not a bad thing, but the game of football takes a toll on a body, and the activity that comes along with it.

For instance, the veteran corps of Derrick Johnson (35 years old), Tamba Hali (34 years old), and Darrelle Revis (32 years old)  average the age of 34-years old. Keeping them on the roster makes sense in the matter of sentimental value. But to create a fresh start, and a more- promising future, the Chiefs made the right move by cutting/letting go of these aging veterans.

Just as he did on offense, Brett Veach is taking care of the aging issue on the defensive side of the football. Veach parted ways of the “elders”, and signed youth on the defense to create a new era for the Chiefs. Let’s take a look.*

* all information on the defense is based on the team’s projected base 3-4 defense next season.