Chiefs’ coaching staff has solution for their biggest liability on defense, but haven’t shown willingness to pull the trigger
It’s time to reduce Chamarri Conner’s role.
Andy Reid is one of the best coaches in NFL history, but he and his staff have a puzzling habit of sticking with struggling players for too long.
Former Kansas City Chiefs such as linebackers Frank Zombo and Ben Niemann, as well as safety Daniel Sorensen and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (who is now on the practice squad) are examples of that. We are now entering that territory with a third-year defensive back.
Chiefs must reduce Chamarri Conner’s role on defense
Kansas City selected Conner in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He came on strong down the stretch of his rookie year, helping anchor the secondary en route to a Super Bowl win. Conner is a versatile DB, able to play both safety and nickel cornerback.
He earned more playing time in 2024, but he didn’t quite replicate the level of play he displayed the year before. Conner played well against the run, ranking 31st out of 222 qualifying defensive backs in that department, but earned a mediocre grade of 64.4 per Pro Football Focus.
Five games into the 2025 season, Conner is struggling mightily, allowing a 90 percent completion percentage and a 101.9 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. He is coming off a very bad outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night, allowing three receptions on three targets for 62 yards, while also committing two penalties (H/T How bout those CHIEFS).
That earned Conner a poor PFF grade of 46.2. To make matters more frustrating, he played 100 percent of the defensive snaps, mostly at nickel — where he struggles the most. It is baffling that K.C.’s coaching staff continues to give him that much volume when he has clearly been a liability.
The Chiefs not only have other options, but quality ones. Rookie Nohl Williams is one of the highest graded CBs in the league per PFF, but only played four snaps against the Jaguars. There is simply no reason for him not to be a full-time player at this point. That would allow Trent McDuffie to play nickel, which is obviously a massive upgrade of Conner.
A reduction in snaps for Conner could also come in the form of CB Kristian Fulton, who should be close to returning from an ankle injury. There is a role for Conner on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster, but it needs to be as a rotational safety and special teams contributor. He is talented and still young, but sometimes players need to take a step back to improve long-term.