Jarran Reed's Versatility Helps the Kansas City Chiefs Defense

In the high-stakes world of NFL defenses, versatility is often the difference between a good unit and a great one—and for the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive lineman Jarran Reed has emerged as the epitome of that trait. Since joining the Chiefs in 2024, Reed has seamlessly shifted between defensive tackle, defensive end, and even nose tackle, adapting his playstyle to fill whatever gap the team’s defense needs. His ability to disrupt both the run and the pass, combined with his willingness to play any position along the line, has made him an indispensable asset for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. As the Chiefs aim to shore up their defense and compete for another Super Bowl, Reed’s versatility isn’t just a luxury—it’s a cornerstone of their strategy. Jarran Reed's Versatility Helps the Kansas City Chiefs Defense explores how Reed’s diverse skill set impacts the Chiefs’ defense, his role in key game moments, and why his adaptability has become a defining factor in the unit’s success.

Jarran Reed's Versatility Helps the Kansas City Chiefs Defense begins with a look at Reed’s unique skill set that makes his versatility possible. A 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman with surprising speed and agility, Reed possesses the strength to hold his ground against double teams in run defense and the quickness to pressure quarterbacks in passing situations. Unlike many defensive linemen who specialize in either run stopping or pass rushing, Reed excels at both: he’s recorded 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in the 2025 season, while also ranking third on the team in run stops (28). His technical proficiency is equally impressive—he can use a variety of pass-rushing moves, from a quick arm-over to a powerful bull rush, and he reads offensive linemen’s tendencies to anticipate plays before they unfold. “Jarran has a rare combination of size and athleticism,” said Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen. “He can line up anywhere and be effective because he understands how to use his body and his football IQ to win. Most guys his size are just run stoppers, but Jarran can do it all.” This well-rounded skill set laid the groundwork for his versatile role in the Chiefs’ defense.

Jarran Reed's Versatility Helps the Kansas City Chiefs Defense delves into how Reed’s ability to play multiple positions has solved critical problems for the Chiefs’ defensive line. Early in the 2025 season, when starting nose tackle Derrick Nnadi suffered a knee injury, Spagnuolo turned to Reed to fill the gap—a position Reed hadn’t played regularly since his time with the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the adjustment, Reed stepped up, recording 5 tackles and a quarterback hit in his first start at nose tackle against the Denver Broncos, limiting the Broncos to just 78 rushing yards. Later in the season, when defensive end Frank Clark missed two games with a shoulder injury, Reed shifted to the edge, using his length to disrupt passing lanes and his strength to set the edge against the run. In a Week 10 win over the Buffalo Bills, Reed played 40 snaps at defensive end, 25 at defensive tackle, and 10 at nose tackle, finishing with 6 tackles and a sack. “Having Jarran means we don’t have to panic when someone gets hurt,” Spagnuolo said. “He can step into any spot and keep our defense running smoothly. That kind of flexibility lets us be more aggressive with our game plans.”

Jarran Reed's Versatility Helps the Kansas City Chiefs Defense examines how Reed’s dual threat as a run stopper and pass rusher elevates the entire Kansas City Chiefs defense. In run defense, Reed’s ability to clog lanes forces opposing running backs to change direction, giving linebackers like Anthony Walker Jr. and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah more time to make tackles. Against the pass, his quickness off the line keeps offensive linemen on their heels, creating opportunities for fellow pass rushers like Chris Jones to get to the quarterback. This synergy was on full display in a Week 12 win over the Dallas Cowboys: Reed drew a double team on a third-down play, freeing up Jones to sack Dak Prescott and force a turnover on downs. “Jarran makes my job easier every week,” Jones said. “When he’s drawing two guys, that’s one less person I have to worry about. He’s not just a great player—he’s a team player who puts the unit first.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Reed’s dual impact means the defense doesn’t have to choose between stopping the run or pressuring the quarterback; with Reed in the lineup, they can do both at a high level. This balance has been key to the Chiefs’ success in close games, where a single stop or sack can change the outcome.

Jarran Reed's Versatility Helps the Kansas City Chiefs Defense explores how Reed’s adaptability fits perfectly into the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive scheme, which relies on fluidity and pre-snap adjustments. Spagnuolo’s defense is known for shifting formations and personnel before the snap to confuse quarterbacks, and Reed’s ability to play multiple positions makes those adjustments possible. For example, the Chiefs often use a “sub package” where Reed lines up as a defensive end on one side and Jones on the other, creating a fearsome pass-rushing duo. In their base 4-3 formation, Reed moves inside to defensive tackle, using his strength to anchor the run defense. This flexibility keeps opposing offenses guessing—they can’t predict where Reed will line up or what he’ll do, making it harder to game-plan against the Chiefs. “Our scheme works because we have guys like Jarran who can do multiple things,” Spagnuolo explained. “We can show one look pre-snap and then shift to another, and Jarran is the guy who makes that shift seamless. He’s like a Swiss Army knife for our defense—we can use him however we need to.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this adaptability has turned their defense from a solid unit into a dynamic one, capable of adjusting to any opponent’s strengths.

Jarran Reed's Versatility Helps the Kansas City Chiefs Defense wraps up with why Reed’s versatility is crucial for the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff aspirations—and what it means for the future of their defense. As the Chiefs head into the postseason, they’ll face a variety of offensive styles, from the run-heavy Baltimore Ravens to the pass-first Buffalo Bills. Reed’s ability to adapt to each opponent’s game plan will be essential: he can focus on run stopping against the Ravens and shift to pass rushing against the Bills, all without sacrificing performance. Beyond this season, Reed’s versatility sets a standard for the Chiefs’ defensive line, showing that players who can do more than one thing are invaluable in Spagnuolo’s system. “Jarran is the kind of player we want to build our defense around,” said Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. “His versatility makes us more flexible, more aggressive, and more difficult to beat. He’s not just helping us win now—he’s helping us build a defense that can compete for championships for years to come.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Jarran Reed’s versatility isn’t just a skill—it’s a game-changer, and it’s one of the biggest reasons they remain a top contender in the NFL.