]

BREAKING NEWS: Chiefs’ George Karlaftis sends clear message about KC’s future at OTAs, which he reveals is…

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis addressed his plans for his NFL future at OTAs.

The Kansas City Chiefs chose to exercise the fifth-year options of both defensive back Trent McDuffie and defensive end George Karlaftis — who were both selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft — in May, and the latter addressed his KC future beyond that fifth-year option at OTAs.

“I’ll let whoever has to handle that handle that,” Karlaftis told reporters at OTAs when asked about a long-term extension, “but, you know, I’d like to be here as long as I can.”

“My now-fiance and I absolutely love Kansas City, love this organization,” the pass rusher added. “So, I’ll let whoever has to handle that handle that. But I love it here.”

Clearly, on the topic of a Karlaftis extension, the former first-round talent’s message is pretty straightforward. He wants to be a member of the Chiefs both now and in the future.

The ball is now in general manager Brett Veach’s court.

Karlaftis is almost inherently underrated, if that’s even possible. He plays second fiddle to Chris Jones on the defensive line, and he’s often talked about as the second-most important draft pick in 2022, behind McDuffie.

Despite his consistency, he’s never really discussed much around the NFL as an elite defensive end either. Instead, he’s generally talked about within a second or third tier below the top of the league.

George Karlaftis Sends Clear Message on Chiefs Future at OTAs

That doesn’t bother Karlaftis, who told reporters that he doesn’t “need to prove anything to anybody other than the people in this building” at Chiefs OTAs.

“That’s how I feel,” Karlaftis continued, “Coach [Joe] Cullen, [defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo], Coach [Andy] Reid, my teammates, I got their back just like they got mine, and I try to put my best foot forward every day to get better and do what I can on the field. Whatever recognition is to come, it’ll come, I’m not really worried about that at all.”

Statistically speaking, Karlaftis has gotten better every year.

Chiefs DE George Karlaftis met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

According to Pro Football Focus, Karlaftis had a porous missed tackle rate of 30.0 as a rookie, but he lowered that missed tackle rate to 12.7% in 2023 and 10.0% in 2024. It’d be nice to see Karlaftis get that average under 10% in 2025.

His total quarterback pressures did dip slightly in 2024 (with 76) after surging up to 83 pressures during his second NFL campaign (including playoffs), but his number of QB hits spiked from 8 to 25 last year, so his quality of QB pressures has improved.

If you count the playoffs, Karlaftis has averaged almost 11 sacks per season since entering the league. His key defensive “stops” on PFF have remained pretty consistent as well, with 24 as a rookie, 32 in year two, and 31 in 2024.

Related Posts

Buccaneers’ David Walker does something that has the NFL buzzing about the plane crash in India.

Buccaneers’ David Walker Shocks NFL With Humanitarian Action Related to Tragic Plane Crash in India While the American football world is focused on the NFL preseason, a…

Buffalo Bills’ Landon Jackson does something that has the NFL buzzing about the plane crash in India.

Landon Jackson – the rising young defensive end of the Buffalo Bills – has just made a touching gesture that has deeply touched the entire NFL community….

BREAKING: Travis Kelce loses 25 pounds after stressful NFL season amid criticism of weight gain.

Travis Kelce shed 25 pounds in preparation for the forthcoming 2025-26 NFL season after he was dragged for his “dad bod.” ESPN personality Jeremy Fowler revealed that…

UPDATE: Should the Buccaneers erect a statue to honor Tom Brady after his legendary legacy?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have never had a player quite like Tom Brady. The franchise, once defined by mediocrity and missed playoff chances, was transformed the moment Brady signed…

BREAKING: 2 Buffalo Bills at risk of cuts after 2025 training camp.

The Buffalo Bills are once again aiming high in 2025. They have a roster built to contend and a franchise quarterback locked in for the long haul. However, with…

BREAKING: Rashee Rice dodges Chiefs’ biggest question as he heaps praise on the offense.

After failing to become the first team in NFL history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions last season, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to get…