If you listen to Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s press conferences, a common expression you’ll hear from Spagnuolo is this:
“You earn the right to rush the passer.”
Spagnuolo means that to get to optimal pass rush downs — second-and-longs or third downs — you have to do the necessary work on early downs to get those opportunities. Getting upfield on third downs is ideal, but you won't get good pass-rush opportunities if your defense isn’t structurally sound on early downs.
This week against the Seattle Seahawks, the Chiefs were fortunate to have plenty of opportunities to rush the passer.