Alohi Gilman, newly signed safety for the Kansas City Chiefs, is focused on learning and adapting to the team's defensive scheme under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Despite his experience, he acknowledges the challenges of mastering the system and values the support from his teammates.
Key points
Alohi Gilman signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026.
He has 51 career starts compared to his new teammates' 37 combined.
Gilman is focused on learning Spagnuolo's defensive scheme.
He values the support from teammates like Nick Bolton.
The Chiefs' offseason attendance reflects a strong team culture.
Alohi GilmanKansas City ChiefsLos Angeles ChargersBaltimore Ravens
Sep 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) leaves the field after the win over the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) leaves the field after the win over the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The defense of the Kansas City Chiefs has thrived most under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo when it has a veteran leader in the secondary, specifically at safety.
In 2026, that player will be Alohi Gilman, a free agent signed this spring after six seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and half of the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens. He has 51 career starts to his name, compared to just 37 career starts combined between his new teammates at safety, Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks.
That said, all 37 of the incumbent duoās starts have come in Kansas City, and Gilman has yet to take anything close to a live rep in Spagnuoloās defense. He acknowledged the fact during a press conference on Thursday, speaking with reporters via video call about his assimilation process.
āItās a blank slate, so Iām just focused on learning,ā Gilman started. āBeing able to gather the information, execute it and make the mistakes as you need to, and then correct them, then keep building and keep stacking⦠[this is] the biggest amount of volume that Iāve had in terms of a defensive scheme, so itās a lot more extra time we have to put in⦠making a lot of mistakes, Iāve made a bunch, and Iām going to keep making them.ā
Gilmanās self-awareness plays into what the Chiefsā defensive coaching staff is seeking in a key starter in its secondary. Spagnuoloās scheme has been molded over years of experience and is implemented by a group of loyal assistants who give off a cohesive vibe that Gilman is picking up on.
āThis is probably the best group of, in terms of staff, teachers that Iāve been around,ā Gilman admitted.
āYou look at how long theyāve been with Spags,ā Gilman continued later. āYou understand that they are very particular with the way Spagsā system is run, so the teaching has to be a specific way⦠by challenging. Youāre not going to build someone by just giving it one step, one piece; you have to give them slow chunks that will allow them to see the whole vision.ā
It hasnāt been easy to get all the rules and tidbits down, but thatās what is fueling the 28-year-old safety at this time.
āIām a learner, so Iām enjoying it,ā Gilman continued. āSome of it pisses me off⦠because itās a lot and Iām going through this transition phase. It pissed me off in a good way, just because Iām making mistakes and Iām growing and learning.ā
Itās the players that make Gilman feel the strength of Kansas Cityās winning culture, as well. He talked about his teammatesā nearly perfect attendance during Phase 1 of the Chiefsā offseason.
āThere has been pretty much everyone here, which is always a good sign on a winning team,ā Gilman said. āIād say the guys are bought in. Itās just spending time in the building, outside the building, building the relationships⦠it takes time, and everyoneās at different stages of their lives. Itās a different dynamic in the NFL⦠the group of guys Iāve been around has been great.
As the players grow together on the field, Gilman has leaned on leaders like linebacker to learn how to correct mistakes on the fly.
āItās not just the coaches, the players will tell me,ā Gilman shared. āNick Bolton will say, āThis is the reason why, Spags likes it like this, this is the verbiage, this is what the purpose is.āā
āIn a way, it pisses me off,ā Gilman said. āBut itās a good thing because you have to make those mistakes and Iām going to be making them until we get to the games⦠Iām all full-go, Iām going to make every mistake possible and continue to grow and learn.ā
Itās hard to desire any other kind of mentality from a newly-acquired player: enough self-awareness to understand he needs to learn from everyone around him, despite being the most experienced player in his position room. Chiefs Kingdom will hope Gilman can make all his mistakes this summer, rather than the fall.
Q&A
What is Alohi Gilman's experience before joining the Kansas City Chiefs?
Alohi Gilman has six seasons of NFL experience, previously playing for the Los Angeles Chargers and half of the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens.
How does Alohi Gilman feel about the learning process in Kansas City?
Gilman embraces the learning process, acknowledging the challenges and mistakes as part of his growth in adapting to the Chiefs' defensive scheme.
Who is helping Alohi Gilman adjust to the Chiefs' defense?
Gilman is receiving guidance from teammates like linebacker Nick Bolton, who helps him understand the nuances of the defensive system.
What is the significance of the Chiefs' offseason attendance for the team culture?
Gilman noted the nearly perfect attendance during the offseason as a positive sign of commitment and unity within the winning culture of the Kansas City Chiefs.
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