The Kansas City Chiefs have undergone a significant overhaul of their defensive backfield this offseason, and while rookie additions Mansoor Delane and Jadon Canady bring fresh athleticism to Steve Spagnuolo’s secondary, it’s veteran safety Alohi Gilman who could prove to be the true difference-maker for the defense in 2026.
Kansas City’s coaching staff has historically been cautious about thrusting young players into starting roles too early, preferring instead to lean on the experience of free-agent acquisitions like Gilman when building their opening 11 on both sides of the ball. That approach makes Gilman’s transition especially crucial this season.
Gilman, who joined the Chiefs earlier this year after a stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, told reporters this week that he’s already settling into Spagnuolo’s system with impressive early results. “It’s been great,” Gilman said of his first days in Kansas City. “This is probably the best group of – in terms of staff, teachers that I’ve been around, because that’s what they are, they’re teachers and they’re builders. I’ve been able to dive into it and get just enough where it’s frustrating (laughs) because it’s a lot, but enough that it allows me to grow and to learn and get better and dive into the playbook more and more and in depth.”
The veteran safety acknowledged his unique role as an older player in a young defensive backs room. “I’m in a situation where I’m the older guy but the guys that’ve been around in the league – I know it’s a young team, at least within my DB room,” he explained. Rather than trying to dominate the group, Gilman has embraced a collaborative mindset, praising his less experienced teammates for their knowledge and work ethic.
“They’re all smart, they all know what they’re doing, they’ve been in the system for some time, so I’m learning from them and I’m not afraid of that, of saying, ‘Hey, I need help,’” Gilman said. “I’ve pulled them on the side, ‘Hey, let’s watch some film, let’s go do a little walkthrough right here.’ It’s a collaboration. I’m in the learning phase. It’s not about coming in here and taking over, there’s none of that. I’m learning (and) I want to be a part of this. That’s all that it has been for me, and the guys have been great. They’ve just been open armed and say, ‘Hey, what can I do to help?’ And everyone’s been workers, so it’s been really fun.”
Whether Gilman becomes a cornerstone of Kansas City’s defense remains to be seen, but early signs suggest the former Charger is well on his way to carving out a key role in 2026. For Chiefs fans and those tracking the team’s defensive evolution, this is a storyline worth watching closely.