How will the Chiefs replace Willie Gay Jr?

With the starting linebacker sidelined by a 4-game suspension, let's examine what options Kansas City has to try and keep the defense from faltering.

I’m not here to litigate the rightness or wrongness of a suspension length.

Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was suspended for 4 games for violating the league’s conduct policy. This suspension is the result of a January arrest in which Gay was eventually charged with criminal property damage with a domestic violence “tag” (so to speak). In other words, he was alleged to breaking property during a domestic incident.

We talked about the underlying offense and the suspension at length during our recording of Monday’s Time’s Ours, and I gave my thoughts there on the importance of being cautious regarding our treatment of even “lesser” domestic-related offenses (while also commenting on the seemingly arbitrary timing and length of the suspension). You can hear my thoughts on the suspension and the underlying offense there if you are interested.

Here, I’m looking at the practical results of that suspension for the Chiefs. Gay will miss games against the Colts, Bucs, Raiders, and Bills. And without going into too much detail, the short story when it comes to the Chiefs linebackers is that there really isn’t anyone who does precisely what Gay does. He’s the most athletic of the group, the most fluid in space, the best going sideline to sideline, and the best in coverage. He’s 1 of 1 in the LB group to the best of our knowledge, in that he combines that athleticism with excellent physicality.

There’s an argument to be made that Gay’s skillset makes him one of the most irreplaceable members of the defense. That said, replace him they must, or at least attempt to mitigate the damage of losing his speed and physicality.

So how will they do it? A variety of solutions have been proposed by Chiefs fans, perhaps the most common of them that rookie Leo Chenal will get his shot at increased snaps. For a few reasons, I don’t think that will be the case. Let’s talk about the potential solutions (some personnel, some more schematic) and what I think the most feasible options are for the Chiefs moving forward.