In the season-opening win for the Kansas City Chiefs, rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr. did not play a single defensive snap. The team had made it clear that Gay wasn’t a starter, but it was still surprising that he had no role at all on a defense that struggled at the linebacker position more than any other spot in 2019.
Fast forward to Week 4, when Gay started at WILL linebacker in the base package and played 25 snaps — the highest number he’s seen this year so far. His involvement in the defense has increased with each game, and Gay is working to continue that steady progression.