The most concerning piece of the Kansas City Chiefs' 27-21 loss was the play of a secondary expected to again be among the league's best units. Kansas City's defense was quietly elite in the 2024 season, and this was especially the case heading into the playoffs. The reason why the Chiefs were able to find so many magical wins throughout last year was a defense that allowed Mahomes time to figure out how to get it done with a limited cast around him.
With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy out, this is going to be the case yet again. If the Chiefs are going to be in contention for the AFC's top seed, the defense is going to have to be far better than what we witnessed Friday night against the Chargers. Justin Herbert was able to get anything he wanted, consistently hitting open targets and fashing the KC defense.
Chiefs Defense Lets Down Kansas City in Alarming Week 1 Performance
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has spoiled Kansas City fans into expecting an elite performance each and every week. The veteran DC has been especially elite against his own division, continually finding ways to haunt its quarterbacks and shut down limited offenses. Friday, this wasn't the case with Justin Herbert finishing 25/34 for 318 yards and a trio of passing touchdowns.
Herbert added 32 rushing yards that included a frustrating final scamper that would allow Los Angeles to run out the clock. It was a run that Chiefs fans are used to seeing from Mahomes and was used to their detriment. However, all of this was set up by the fact that the Chargers picked apart Kansas City's defense with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen all having huge nights.
What was expected to be a strong point of the roster was alarmingly unproductive in Week 1. Amid the frustration, one loss that is going to be pointed to is current New Orleans safety Justin Reid. It is fair to wonder if Reid's presence and impact were being taken for granted. Even with the expectation that Spagnuolo will figure things out, it is a fair question.
Even with the Chiefs returning home next weekend, things aren't going to grow any easier with the Philadelphia Eagles coming to Arrowhead for a Super Bowl rematch. Kansas City has little time to figure things out with the duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith being far more daunting than any of the Chargers' current weapons.
While Kansas City's offense must get off to a quicker start, there is no excuse for this level of play from a typically great defense. This was further evidenced by the defensive huddle clearly chirping at each other, showing visible frustration after the Chargers put the game away. It was a mess, showing how much work needs to be done over the next week. Reid isn't walking through the door to solve all these obvious issues; Spagnuolo has his work cut out for him as the franchise works to recover from an infuriating Week 1.