Kansas City Chiefs DT Peter Woods gives his first impression of defensive line coach Joe Cullen after Day 1 of rookie minicamp
Kansas City Chiefs D-Line coach Joe Cullen has a reputation. First-round draft pick Peter Woods first impression? He’s living up to it and coaching him exactly like he wants.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen has a bit of a reputation in the NFL. He’s got a fiery, passionate disposition, which sometimes results in smashed tablets on the sideline. He coaches players hard and holds them accountable in a way that demands greatness. New Chiefs DT Peter Woods knows it, and he’s not shying away from it.
Chiefs D-Line Coach Joe Cullen Quick Stats & Facts
A two-time Super Bowl champion with Kansas City (LVII, LVIII), Cullen has been the Chiefs’ Defensive Line Coach since 2022. He’s been coaching in the NFL since 2006, primarily as a D-Line Coach (Jags, Bucs, Browns, Ravens) and as a Defensive Coordinator (Jaguars, 2021).
Chiefs DT Peter Woods says D-Line Coach Joe Cullen is living up to his reputation
The Chiefs have sky-high expectations for Woods, and he’s already fully bought in. Asked about his first day of practice, he immediately pointed to the opportunity to work with Joe Cullen.
“It was great,” Woods said. “I think the biggest part was just being able to be coached by (Defensive Line) Coach (Joe) Cullen for the first time. Just some of the relationships through the coaching world that I’ve had and heard about his coaching style and stuff like that, so I feel like we’re going to have a great time together. It’s going to be fun.”
Woods knows that Cullen can help him reach his ceiling in the NFL. He’s got a long way to go and a lot to learn, but even with the tough coaching, he knows he’s in good hands.
“You know, it’s intense,” Woods said of Cullen’s coaching style. “He pushes you. I’m saying he’s gonna coach Chris Jones just as hard as he coaches the rookie Peter Woods coming in. (I’m) just trying to earn instruction and learn the defense. So, you know, I’m really excited about that.”
Cullen’s coaching helped produce two of Chiefs DT Chris Jones’ best seasons in 2022 (15.5 sacks) and 2023 (10.5 sacks). Jones even credited Cullen himself for his progress during that run of great play.
“(Defensive Line Coach) Joe Cullen, having Joe Cullen around,” Chiefs DT Chris Jones said in 2023. “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.”
Woods is now a part of that equation, being pushed to put the best product on the field at practice every day henceforth.
