By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Chiefs secondary lost a big piece when cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was traded to the Tennessee Titans this offseason.
While replacing one of the top corners in the league won't be easy, there are people there to fill those shoes, like third year corner Trent McDuffie.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo it's yet to be determined if McDuffie will fill those shoes.
"Almost every game we had LJ travel with "top receiver", whether we do that with Trent or not we'll see, it'll just be a game-by-game plan," Spagnuolo tells the media following practice. "We'll see who the other corner is, who the nickel is, there's still a lot of unknowns right now, we've got some work to do back there we certainly miss LJ, I miss him every day."
Another one of those players the Chiefs are looking to replace is linebacker Willie Gay, who signed with the New Orleans Saints this offseason.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagunolo says while they'll miss the energy of Gay, there are guys who can step up to fill that role.
"Drue (Tranquill), we've got Drue has been there and played that spot, Jack Cochrane has been doing a terrific job, Leo (Chenal) is going to probably have different roles than he had last year, in conjunction with Nick (Bolton) we have some young guys out there," Spagnuolo explains.
"So hopefully if we can find five, six, however many linebackers and get some good ones."
The Chiefs will practice again tomorrow at 9:15. That practice is open to the public; tickets must be acquired online.
With threepeat on mind as camp starts, Clark Hunt says eliminate distractions
A goal on many a mind this season is the chance to make history, a three peat as Super Bowl Champions
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt's message to the team prior to camp was to eliminate distractions
"The players, the coaches, everybody in the organization have a lot of people reaching out to them, a lot of people asking about the potential threepeat," Hunt tells the media. "And really to be successful in the National Football League you've got to focus on the task at hand, which is the next team you're playing."
Hunt says in turn as the reigning champs the Chiefs also have a target on their backs and every team will be playing their best football against them.
Injury update and roster moves
Chiefs' rookie receiver Xavier Worthy missed practice on Monday due to an illness.
The Chiefs also announced they have signed former Missouri safety Tyree Gillispie and released safety Trey Dean
Gillespie was on the Chiefs’ practice squad in December and January last season and re-signed with the team in February before getting cut again when the team signed undrafted rookie free agents. He also spent time with the Texans last summer after playing three games for the Jaguars in 2022 and 11 games for the Raiders in 2021.
Gillespie had eight tackles in those 14 appearances.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.