Kansas City Chiefs DE Taco Charlton was brought in on a prove-it style contract after being released by the Miami Dolphins. The former first-round pick hasn’t seen his career take off quite as he expected, which has motivated him to work hard in his newest opportunity.
It hasn’t been without challenges, though. A lack of a traditional offseason made training camp and virtual team meetings the only opportunity to leave an impression. Now, with roster cuts on the horizon, he’s hopeful for the opportunity to prove himself in games with the Chiefs.
“Training camp was different with no offseason and everything like that so it took me – it took a little bit to adjust because I had to learn a whole new defense with no real offseason,” Charlton told reporters on Tuesday. “So, it took a little bit of adjustment, but I feel like after that I picked everything up. You know, I’ll be able to show a lot more in games of really what I’m capable of more so than in practice. I’ve tried to give, you know – running to the ball, working hard, everything I’m doing, making plays. I try to show it in practice but I feel like in the game you can really see the true nature of how well somebody can do so I’m excited, definitely to, get into action and really show them what I’m capable of in the game action.”
Even Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo admitted it’s tough to do evaluations without seeing a player like Charlton in a game. Still, the staff has shown confidence in Charlton and his abilities. They like his length and his work ethic. He’s grateful for the confidence, but he’s also out to prove his former Michigan teammate, Frank Clark, right. Charlton says that Clark played a big role in bringing him to Kansas City.
“It feels good, you know, I’ve been putting in a lot of work,” Charlton explained. “There’s a lot of things – they took a chance on me bringing me here, so of course I want to prove everybody right and Frank (Clark), you know, stood on the table for me so I want to prove him right too, so you know, I’ve been doing my part, working hard and trying to make sure I’m doing my best to help this team going forward.”
Clark has been the biggest aid to Charlton’s development during the course of training camp in Kansas City. Coaches even described it as Clark taking Charlton under his wing.
“Everybody’s been a help,” Charlton said. “Frank, of course you know is a big help towards me, bringing me here and then, of course, Frank’s a big help. Helping me learn the defense and get things down and little keys here and there that will help me, you know help me out in-game. So everybody’s being real helpful and helping me kind of get acclimated faster.”
It’s not yet decided if Charlton will get an opportunity to prove himself in a game with the Chiefs. His contract doesn’t make him a lock for the roster in Kansas City. He’s given it all he’s got, working to improve every day during training camp. After last night’s ring ceremony, he’s as motivated as ever to help the team run it back and win another championship.
Yeah I gotta get one! This tuff.
— Taco Charlton (@TheSupremeTaco) September 1, 2020
The team is faced with a logjam of talented players at the defensive end position. They do, however, have the luxury of some flexibility given the new practice squad rules and with a few suspensions early in the season. They could find a way to take Charlton on a test run in the first couple of weeks of the season, giving him that opportunity to prove himself on the field.
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