Chiefs' Andy Reid talks about NFL defenses being better in 2023

Justin Churchill — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Oct 17, 2023 3:13 PM EDT

Steve Spagnuolo Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator — Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

This season, we have seen things that we didn't think we would, as a whole, and from the Kansas City Chiefs. This is by far the best defense the Chiefs have had in the Patrick Mahomes era. The defense is winning them games, which we haven't seen over a season in a very long time.

The Chiefs offense has been struggling, but especially in the red zone. They seem to be just barely getting by every single week. Now, we discussed before why this could be a small issue because, well, the league is struggling there.

But there is another reason the Chiefs' offense could be struggling that we haven't really talked about a ton. Maybe, just maybe, the defenses around the league are getting better.

"Well, a lot of the defenses are doing a great job, creative minds," Andy Reid said on Monday. "We're lucky we have (Defensive Coordinator Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) here and the job that he does with it. He's been a head coach and probably deserves to be a head coach again. To have a guy in that position that's that qualified and understands the game like that, and you're seeing that in different places throughout the league. Right now, defenses are doing well."

The defenses are better around the league, and a perfect example is the Chiefs, who are probably a top-five defense in the league right now. The defenses around the league are playing better now, too.

We have the New York Jets, who have an amazing defense. Now, the Detroit Lions' defense isn't one that you can just run over. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a great pass rush; the Minnesota Vikings have really good pieces.

So, sure, the Chiefs' defense is struggling, but it isn't the end of the world. The entire league is getting better on defense.