With the Kansas City Chiefs officially out of the playoff picture, the conversation around the team has shifted. Some fans are already looking ahead to April, hoping the team leans into a youth movement and prioritizes draft position over meaningless wins.
But inside the locker room? That’s not how this team is wired - and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo made that crystal clear this week.
As the Chiefs prepare for their Week 16 matchup on the road against the Tennessee Titans, Spagnuolo isn’t entertaining the idea of tanking. In fact, he’s doubling down on the team’s competitive DNA.
“We want to finish strong here,” he said. “We’ll take one game at a time and play really well in this game.”
Translation: the best players will play, and the goal is still to win.
That might not be what some fans want to hear - especially those eager to see what the younger guys can do with three games left and nothing on the line. But for Spagnuolo and the coaching staff, development and evaluation don’t mean handing over the keys. It’s about earning reps, not gifting them.
That said, injuries could naturally open the door for some fresh faces, and Spagnuolo acknowledged that possibility. One name to watch is Zacch Pickens, a defensive tackle who was elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Whether he suits up against the Titans remains to be seen, but Spagnuolo hinted that this stretch run could be a chance to get a look at players like Pickens - as long as it doesn’t compromise the team’s ability to compete.
“We’ll see if we get him to game day,” Spagnuolo said. “But this could be an opportunity to see someone we haven’t seen yet.
The focus, though, is going to be to prevent as many points by Tennessee’s offense as possible. That’s our job.”
Another young player drawing interest is rookie linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. The fifth-round pick has been active all season, but his role has been limited to special teams.
While fans might be clamoring for more defensive snaps, Spagnuolo isn’t rushing that transition. The staff is clearly playing the long game with Bassa, and Spagnuolo spoke highly of his development behind the scenes.
“I have a lot of confidence in Jeff,” he said. “The growth process as a weakside linebacker - even just in walk-throughs - has been encouraging. We haven’t seen him in a game since the preseason, but I’m real hopeful for Jeff going forward.”
One rookie who has seen his role expand is Ashton Gillotte, and it’s not just token snaps. The third-round edge rusher out of Louisville has been earning real reps - and outsnapping veterans like Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu in recent weeks.
That’s not a fluke. That’s a sign the Chiefs believe in what they have.
“I think he’s on a great trajectory,” Spagnuolo said. “He’s around some veterans that have been a real big help to him.
I think he’s got some versatility that maybe, going forward, we can do some different things with him. Right now, he’s getting as many reps as we can get him.
I’d like to get him more in these next three games, because I think he can do some things for us.”
That’s the kind of development you want to see in December - not just participation, but progression. Gillotte isn’t just getting a look; he’s earning trust.
So while the standings say the Chiefs are done, the team clearly isn’t treating these final three games like a formality. There’s still pride on the line.
There’s still tape to be made. And for guys like Gillotte, Bassa, and maybe even Pickens, there’s still a chance to show they belong in the plans for 2026 and beyond.
Don’t expect a full-on youth movement in Nashville this Sunday, but keep an eye on the subtle shifts. The Chiefs are still playing to win - but they’re also planting seeds for what comes next.