'He knows the game really well' — Chiefs position coach has made a big impression on veteran free agent acquisition

One of the more under-the-radar free agent signings the Chiefs made during the offseason was defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. 

Tillery was a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers. He never quite lived up to that status, but did have a solid year in 2021 with 51 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 21 quarterback pressures. 

Tillery followed that up with a very disappointing 2022 campaign, leading to be released during the middle of the season. He performed fairly well as a rotational lineman in 2023 with the Las Vegas Raiders, but was released after the season, which led him to Minnesota.

In 2024 with the Vikings Tillery appeared in all 17 games and made 11 starts, recording 28 total tackles. Now with Kansas City, he'll look to earn reps in the DT rotation with Chris Jones, Omarr Norman-Lott, Fabien Lovett, and Marlon Tuiplutotu. Tillery provides some versatility, occasionally lining up at defensive end.

The Chiefs opened up their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and Tillery spoke with the media after practice. When he was asked about Joe Cullen's coaching style, Tillery had big praise for his new defensive line coach.

"I think he is a great coach," Tillery said. "I think he knows the game really well. He's very personable. People forget about the personal aspect of playing this game. You know, we're all human, and I think we work the best with people we like. Coach Cullen is very likable, and I'm looking forward to working with him."

"On the field he runs it (the defense) really well," Tillery continued. "The drills and the techniques that we practice show up all over the tape. And that's what you want, right? Not to be doing something that's pointless or you don't really see a good benefit from. Coach Cullen, stays away from the things that we don't need, and he hammers what shows up on tape. I think that's why his D-lines have have performed the way that they have, and I'm happy to be in the mix."

Cullen has been the Chiefs' defensive line coach since the 2022 season. He served as the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive coordinator the year prior to that, and is entering his 35th season as a coach, including the collegiate ranks. If Steve Spagnuolo ever moves on from K.C., Cullen would be a strong candidate to replace him as DC.