The Kansas City Chiefs haven't had the season that they imagined. They are currently 6-6 and fighting to secure a playoff spot. They've hit a rough patch, dropping three of their last four games.
Throughout this campaign, the Chiefs have sought out difference-makers on both sides of the ball, but have failed to find much success. One player people want more from is defensive end George Karlaftis, who inked a four-year, $93 million deal with $62 million guaranteed.
For the kind of price tag, everyone expects a game wrecker off the edge, but that hasn't been the case.
George Karlaftis Hasn’t Impacted the Game Enough for Chiefs
Despite entering the Cowboys game with an 18.8% pressure rate, it appears that statistic in particular is what we often refer to as "empty calories". Although the numbers indicate he's generating pressure, it's not making an impact on the game.
Former NFL and Chiefs OL Geoff Schwartz pointed out on X that he watches every Chiefs game and that Karlaftis' pressure has no impact on the opposing offense. Schwartz isn't alone in this thinking, as the same belief is shared among multiple fans online. The Purdue product hasn't consistently gotten after the quarterback, which is underwhelming.
Chris Jones is the only player on that defensive front who strikes fear into opposing teams, but since the defense doesn't have a reliable source of pressure, it's a problem. Kansas City's defensive line has been a problem area for this team, and Karlaftis is adding to the issue.
He has a team-high five sacks but is averaging just 0.42 sacks per game. That's a downward trend for him as he averaged 0.66 sacks per game in 2023 and 0.5 sacks in 2024. His play thus far in 2025 isn't cutting it, and he knows that.
When a team hands out a lofty deal like that, they expect you to be a game wrecker. They clearly believed in him and his trajectory, but what he's done in 2025 makes it appear they jumped the gun too early.
The Chiefs know they need more production from the defensive line if they want to make a serious playoff push, but it doesn't look like that'll come from No. 56. Fans are over him and feel like he wasn't worth that deal. The only way to quiet that news is to come out and play well, but he hasn't done so at the level everyone wants in 2025. And his big contract only amplifies the issue.