Why KC Chiefs’ Steve Spagnuolo isn’t giving up on struggling safety Daniel Sorensen
Many Chiefs fans, and at least one snack-food company, focused their ire about the team’s poor defensive play earlier this season on one player: safety Daniel Sorensen.
Unfortunately for Sorensen, he gave fans plenty of reason to doubt him.
At one point earlier this month, opposing quarterbacks had a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeting Sorensen. That was 50 points higher than last season.
After seemingly each Chiefs loss, there was a highlight-reel play or two for opponents that came against No. 49.
Sorensen played nearly every defensive snap through the first five games of the season, but that dropped to 45% or fewer over the next four games.
That playing time ticked up to 50% Sunday night in the Chiefs’ 41-14 victory at Las Vegas where Sorensen made a big play, intercepting a Derek Carr pass in the third quarter. The Chiefs converted the turnover into a touchdown that increased their advantage over the Raiders to 34-14.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was asked Thursday about the interception and Sorensen.
“I’m happy as heck for him and proud of them,” Spagnuolo said. “I don’t like to give up on people. Not especially a guy that has done the things that Dan has done for us in the past.”
But Spagnuolo acknowledged the troubles Sorensen has had this season. His 14 missed tackles are tied for the third most in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
“Now had he struggled? Yeah,” Spagnuolo said. “I keep going back to the golf analogy. Golfers struggle sometimes, (even) the really good ones. But I’m happy for him and I’m hoping it can be a building block.”
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Why KC Chiefs’ Steve Spagnuolo isn’t giving up on struggling safety Daniel Sorensen."
