The Chiefs have 35 sacks this season as a team, which ranks fifth in the NFL and already bests Kansas City’s sack total from all of last year (31). It’s collectively been one of the best pass-rushes in the league, and though the Chiefs’ personnel along the defensive line features many of the same players from last season, Jones insists that the difference this year is two guys: Defensive Line Coach Joe Cullen and Assistant Defensive Line Coach Terry Bradden.
“We have some of the best coaches in the building, and we’re just very fortunate,” Jones said. “We have a very good group. [It’s] a very young group, [and we have] a lot of hungry guys in our room…[They] want to show that they belong in this league.”
That formula has worked well so far this season, as 13 different players have recorded at least one sack on the year. Seven of those players are members of the defensive line, which only re-enforces the impact of Cullen and Bradden on this year’s group.
“I think between both of those guys, the players have responded to them,” said Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. “I’m glad that the big guys have responded to [their style], and hopefully, we keep cranking away and playing good football.”