Ashton Gillotte’s Rookie Season: A Quiet Start, a Strong Finish, and a Glimpse Into the Chiefs’ Future
The Kansas City Chiefs' playoff hopes officially came to a halt with a 16-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday, and that wasn't even the worst news of the day. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down with a brutal ACL injury, ending his season and sending shockwaves through the franchise. For the first time since 2014, the Chiefs won’t be part of the postseason picture-a stunning twist for a team that’s defined AFC dominance for nearly a decade.
But with three games left and no playoff chase to worry about, Kansas City now shifts its focus to the future. That means evaluating young talent and figuring out who’s ready to take on bigger roles in 2026. One name to keep an eye on: rookie defensive end Ashton Gillotte.
A Rookie Year That’s Been Building Quietly
Gillotte wasn’t a headliner in this year’s draft class, but the third-round pick has quietly put together a foundation for what could be a much larger role next season. While his rookie campaign hasn’t been flashy, it’s been steady-and most importantly, it’s trending in the right direction.
He’s played in 42% of the team’s defensive snaps, recording 27 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and six quarterback hits. He’s also chipped in on special teams with 69 snaps. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but they’re solid for a player who began the season buried on the depth chart.
Originally slated as a third-stringer behind George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu, Gillotte got his opportunity when injuries sidelined Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Janarius Robinson. And while he didn’t immediately burst onto the scene, he’s started to flash more frequently as the season’s gone on.
Holding the Line: Gillotte’s Run-Stopping Strength
Where Gillotte has made the biggest impression? The run game. This was his calling card during the pre-draft process, and it’s translated well to the pros.
On tape, you can see him using his frame to gain leverage, getting under tackles’ pads, locking out with strong hands, and driving blockers backward. He’s shown the ability to control the line of scrimmage, win interior gaps, and make early contact with the ball carrier-often limiting gains to just a yard or two.
One recent snap stood out: Gillotte knifed into the backfield, beat the tackle inside, and was the first to meet the running back at the line. It was textbook run defense-disciplined, physical, and decisive.
And this wasn’t a one-off. Against the Bills in Week 9, Gillotte read the play beautifully, took on a kick-out block, maintained his pad level, and stuffed the run at the line of scrimmage. As James Cook tried to squeeze through a narrow crease, Gillotte shed the block and helped finish the tackle.
These are the kinds of plays that don’t always make the highlight reel, but they win over coaches. He’s showing he can anchor the edge, hold his ground, and make stops in traffic. That’s a valuable trait for any defensive front.
Pass Rush: A Work in Progress
If there’s one area where Gillotte still has a lot of room to grow, it’s as a pass rusher. His strength and leverage help him in the run game, but they haven’t translated to consistent pressure on the quarterback.
Most of his success as a pass rusher this season has come through hustle and second effort-chasing down plays or forcing throwaways when quarterbacks hold onto the ball too long. He’s not yet winning cleanly off the edge or collapsing the pocket with speed or power.
There was a glimpse of potential against Buffalo when he showed a quick burst off the edge and forced Josh Allen to throw the ball away. He didn’t win the rep cleanly, but he stayed in the play and closed late. That’s the kind of motor that defensive coaches love, even if the technique is still a work in progress.
The Chiefs as a whole struggled to generate consistent pass rush in 2025, so Gillotte’s development in this area will be something to monitor closely heading into next season. If he’s going to be more than a rotational piece, he’ll need to find a go-to move or two to create pressure on obvious passing downs.
Playing in Space: A Glimpse at Versatility
One of the more intriguing developments this season has been Gillotte’s usage in space. At Louisville, he played both on the edge and inside, and since slimming down after the draft, the Chiefs have asked him to take on a more athletic role.
That versatility showed up against the Chargers, when he dropped into coverage and came away with an interception. Sure, he was in the right place at the right time, but the key takeaway is that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo trusted him to drop off the line in the first place.
That’s not something every rookie edge rusher gets asked to do. It speaks to Gillotte’s athleticism and football IQ-and it opens the door for more creative usage down the line.
What’s Next?
It’s clear Kansas City’s plan for Gillotte in 2025 was to lean into his athleticism. He dropped weight during the pre-draft process, likely to show he could move better in space. And while that’s helped him show range and versatility, it may have come at the cost of the power rush he used so effectively in college.
In the run game, he’s still able to use leverage and strength to make plays. But in pass-rush situations, the lighter frame hasn’t given him the same punch. It’s something the Chiefs will need to evaluate this offseason.
Stylistically, Gillotte looks like a younger version of Mike Danna-possibly with a little more juice. Danna could be a cap casualty heading into 2026, and if that happens, Gillotte could be in line to take over that role. If that’s the plan, it might make sense for him to bulk back up and reclaim some of that interior power he flashed at Louisville.
Final Takeaway
As things stand, Gillotte projects as a rotational player heading into 2026. He’s not the kind of breakout star who changes how the Chiefs approach free agency or the draft, but he’s the kind of depth piece you need on a championship-caliber defense-versatile, physical, and still developing.
His run-stopping ability is already NFL-ready. His motor and effort are undeniable. And if he can continue to grow as a pass rusher, there’s real upside here.
The Chiefs may not be playing in January this year, but the final stretch of the season still matters. It’s a chance to see what they’ve got in players like Gillotte-and so far, there’s plenty to like.