One of Chris Jones' biggest progressions can be attributed to hidden Chiefs coach
The Kansas City Chiefs are a team that just produced great coaches. It's part of the Andy Reid experience and even the Steve Spagnuolo experience. They always have guys getting elevated or promoted when accepting other jobs. Look at Mike Kafka, a hot commodity two years ago who took the New York Giants offense to […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are a team that just produced great coaches. It's part of the Andy Reid experience and even the Steve Spagnuolo experience. They always have guys getting elevated or promoted when accepting other jobs. Look at Mike Kafka, a hot commodity two years ago who took the New York Giants offense to the playoffs.
One guy that most people don't know about, outside of the Chiefs media and fan base, is Joe Cullen, the defensive line coach. He is a guy who deserves more praise than he gets, and within the Chiefs organization, he gets a ton of praise. He is also a huge reason the defense is playing so well this year.
Not only that, but he is the biggest reason Chris Jones has made the jump he did. What do I mean by that? Jones hasn't always been as versatile as he is right now. There was a time, two years ago, to be exact, when the Chiefs and Steve Spagnuolo wanted to move Jones around on the defensive line by putting him inside and on the edge.
It didn't go as well as they thought it would. This year, he is moving wherever he wants on the defensive line, whether at nose tackle, three-technique, or way outside on edge rushing wide. He can do it all.
And who did he attribute that progression to?
"(Defensive Line Coach) Joe Cullen, having Joe Cullen around," Jones said abruptly before the question was even finished. "He's heavily invested in this d-line. (He's) very particular about chasing greatness every day, so pushing the best out of me, the individuals on the D-line, and I think it's a trickle effect."
The Chiefs have one of the best defensive players in the entire league, and he is off to a Defensive Player of the Year start. Some of that can be attributed to Cullen.
Last year, we saw glimpses of the moving around on the defensive line, but one of the more notable moments was in the AFC Championship when he made Carlos Dunlap switch with him and ended up sacking Joe Burrow late in the fourth quarter. Jones is crazy, and while he kind of gave a weird answer when asked about his long-term status with the team, everyone would love to have him back next year.
On the other hand, Cullen may not be around very much longer. Soon, he will get offered a higher job that pays more than his current job. That's just how the NFL works. Or maybe Steve Spagnuolo will get offered a head coaching job somewhere, and Cullen will step up. We never really know.
But we do know that we often take for granted the great coaching staff Andy Reid builds. Cullen is certainly a huge part of why the Chiefs are the defense they are today.
Chris Jones provides update on his long-term status with Chiefs
The Chiefs will have a decision to make at the end of the season.
