Chiefs Defensive End Is Just 25, But He Has A Unique Moniker

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis has been a man on the spot for some time now. Karlaftis was marked by the media as a player who needed to deliver more sacks, but it never happened. 

Karlaftis broke through for a sack late in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but the Chiefs also rely on him for several other things, which Jesse Newell of The Athletic discussed on a recent piece. 

One play Newell focused on occurred near the goal line on Sunday with the Chargers driving. LA sent running back Keaton Mitchell in motion in front of Karlaftis, and the other running back, Omarion Hampton, bluffed toward the defensive end before running upfield, according to Newell. 

Karlaftis stood his ground and stayed with his initial read, and it paid off when quarterback Justin Herbert executed a shuttle pass to a thid running back, Kimani Vidal. The defensive end blew up the play, and after the game he was praised by fellow defender Ashton Gillotte, who said Karlaftis was making smart plays all across the field. 

Karlaftis was relying on keys gievn to him by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his line coach, Joe Cullen. Gillotte added that Karlaftis is “relentless” on the pass rush, but now he’s upping his game. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Karlaftis’ 19 QB pressures since Week 4 are the most in the NFL. That’s even more impressive considering Karlaftis and the Chiefs had a bye in Week 5, and Newell added that it was one of the best two game stretches of Karlaftis’ five-year career. 

The advanced stats verify this. According to SumerSports’ data, Karlaftis has pressured the QB on 22 percent of his non-blitz rushes, which is best among qualified edge rushers and 9 percentage points above league average. PFF, meanwhile, has Karlaftis with 14 QB hits, the second-best mark in the NFL behind the Buffalo Bills’ Gregory Rousseau.

The sack represented icing on the cake, and Karlaftis noted that the Chiefs have some added pieces now in edge rusher R Mason Thomas and rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods. It’s been a group effort, and it’s produced a 5-0 record. 

Karlaftis is only 25, but he’s already acquired an old-head nickname. He’s now “Mr. Reliable,” with Gillotte adding that he brings the energy day in and day out. The Chiefs will need more of it on Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks, and it will be interesting to see how Karlaftis does.