4 Chiefs Who Could Be Benched in Second Half of Season

These four Kansas City Chiefs players are at risk of being benched if they don't step up their performance in the 2024 season's second half.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia (76) walks down the hill from the locker room to the fields prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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3. Derrick Nnadi, DT

There's been little to love about Derrick Nnadi's performance in his seventh NFL campaign. The former Florida State defender is in the middle of his worst season yet as he's only managed to record two solo tackles while playing only 16% of offensive snaps in the first nine games.

If Nnadi was a career backup player, that would be one thing. That isn't the case here, though. The 28-year-old veteran defensive tackle's struggles are a big reason why he's yet to start a single outing this year despite starting in 86-of-98 appearances (87.8%) in the six previous seasons.

Nnadi's lackluster showing has led to an abysmal 41.8 defense grade on PFF, which ranks second-worst among Chiefs defenders in 2024. It's evident that the Virginia Beach, VA native is a liability at this point and has to figure out a way to contribute if he wants to remain in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's plans.

It's also worth noting that Nnadi just turned 29 in May, so it's possible that he might have reached the stage where a decline is inevitable. If that's the case and he can't return to his previous form, it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up taking a ride on the pine.

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