The Kansas City Chiefs' defense will look significantly different in 2026. Some old faces landed in new places, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo must find the right combination of guys to fill in for them.
That's particularly the case with their linebacker corps. With Leo Chenal no longer in the building, the Chiefs need a third guy to anchor that room next to Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. So far, it looks like Jeffrey Bassa will get that nod.
Bassa strung together solid performances in his first two dress rehearsals. His 17 snaps in Week 2 of the preseason vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came almost entirely with the first-team defense, and his stock is now trending up ahead of Week 1.
Jeffrey Bassa looks poised for a big role in Kansas City
Bassa had already drawn positive reviews in training camp. His speed will be paramount for the Chiefs' second line of defense. They'll need someone to corral guys from sideline to sideline, and he's also shown great instincts and improved tackling.
The Chiefs seemed high on Bassa coming out of Oregon, but he played sparingly as a rookie. The 2025 fifth-round pick played in all 17 games, but he did the bulk of the work on special teams, logging only 39 snaps on defense.
He should still contribute to that unit in year two, but given the way they've used him in the preseason, plus their evident need for speed in the middle of the defense, it wouldn't be shocking to see him carve a bigger role in 2026.
Despite the limited playing time, he still made a strong impression with six total tackles and one forced fumble. And with two proven veterans by his side, he can afford to gamble here and there and put his ball-hawking skills to the test.
A lot has been said of the Chiefs' new-look defense, and rightfully so. Young men like R Mason Thomas, Peter Woods, and Mansoor Delane are hoping to be defensive anchors for years to come, but they won't be the only youngsters poised for bigger roles.
Just like Jeffrey Bassa, second-year CB Nohl Williams is also likely poised for a starting spot in 2026. And while having younger defenses comes with plenty of risks and growing pains for a Super Bowl hopeful, the youngsters have certainly looked the part in training camp and the first two preseason contests.
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