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Kansas City Chiefs DE George Karlaftis is looking to build on his rookie campaign in 2023.
Karlaftis spoke to the media at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, showing his desire to pick up where he left off a season ago. He provided insight into what this season could look like and what he’s been trying to improve during the course of the offseason.
“(I’m) really trying to focus on the little things,” Karlaftis said. “The mental aspect, the mental side of the game, you can never get too good at that. The details, the fundamentals, really getting bigger, faster, stronger. Trying to hit it from every angle.”
Speaking on his rookie experience and carrying that over to his second season, Karlaftis feels like the extended number of games played will benefit him in 2023.
“Playing 20 games, having that experience and being around guys like Chris [Jones], Frank [Clark], Carlos [Dunlap], and all the other guys in the room, that helps you out,” Karlaftis said. “I learned a lot this past season, I’m ready to take that with me going forward.”
The second-year pass rusher couldn’t exactly pinpoint when things started to click for him during his rookie campaign. However, he felt that he eventually “figured it out” and overcame the early growing pains late in the season and into the playoffs.
“You have conversations – It happens at a different time for everyone, and at times it got frustrating,” Karlaftis said. “You just keep going forward, put your best foot forward.”
The 22-year-old pass rusher is coming off a productive rookie season, totaling six sacks and 33 sacks in 17 games. Karlaftis will look to carry that production over into this upcoming season, sharing in an even greater portion of the responsibility in his second season.
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