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Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon did not reach fan expectations immediately after he was drafted in the second round in 2017.
However, the new defensive scheme brought along by Steve Spagnuolo, allowed him to take a big step forward. Kpassagnon started in eight games in 2019, recording career highs in sacks, tackles, and quarterback hits. Entering his second year in the new defense, could mean another step forward with the defensive end feeling more comfortable.
“Year two in this defense, you get a lot more comfortable. You get a lot more comfortable with what the guys around you are doing,” said Kpassagnon. “You get the whole scheme. You know why Coach Spags [Spagnuolo] is calling something in a certain situation. I think that continuity is there. That energy where we all come together as one is there.”
The defensive end group is one of the deepest position groups in Kansas City with Frank Clark, Alex Okafor, Taco Charlton, Breeland Speaks and Mike Danna all fighting for a spot. The depth might make it difficult for Kpassagnon to get on the field even after an impressive 2019. Kpassagnon is in the final year of his rookie contract and will be looking to get a second contract going into 2021, so the lack of opportunities could pose a problem.
“We have a ways to go to figure that out, but it’s nice to have that many options. Andy (Reid) says it all the time and I just repeat it—anytime you can get a lot of competition at one spot, that’s good for us,” said defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on the defensive end competition. “You get to pick the best players. We’ll see how it all shakes out. T.K. (Tanoh Kpassagnon) was key for us last year. We didn’t have Breeland (Speaks), but he’s back. Taco (Charlton) is new. A couple of those other guys—we’ve had Alex (Okafor), we’ve had Frank (Clark)—so we just keep them all in the mix. It’s nice to have those numbers and Brendan (Daly) does a lot of good work with them. So, hopefully, we can surface and find out how many, whatever that’s going to be, that we’re going to keep, and keep healthy.”
Kpassagnon isn’t worried so much about making a final impression in his contract year. At the end of the day, he’ll let his work do the talking.
“I’ve always been playing to impress everybody,” said Kpassagnon on if he feels he needs to impress teams during a contract year. “I play for myself; I play for my mom; I play for everybody back home. I work hard every day and I let the other stuff work itself out.”
Hopefully, Kpassagnon can take another step forward this season to bring depth to the Chiefs defensive end group. If he can do that, he’ll see another NFL contract, be it in Kansas City or with another team in the future.
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