KANSAS CITY, Mo. — R Mason Thomas wanted to start with the scouting report.
The Kansas City Chiefs rookie defensive end sat at his locker Wednesday and, when asked to break down his spinning sack from his first NFL game, pointed first to the coaches.
Specifically, how they prepared him to face Broncos quarterback Bo Nix on Monday night.
“On the report, he drops back and likes to step up in his progression down the field,” Thomas told The Athletic. “Coaches talked about it all day.”
Thomas — a 2026 second-round pick out of Oklahoma — kept that in mind as he spotted the perfect window for a counter-move.
Two-minute drill. A likely passing situation.
Thomas surged upfield with a speed rush against Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey, then looped back after getting past Nix, executing a spin move honed from hours of studying Indianapolis Colts Hall of Fame edge rusher Dwight Freeney.
“I couldn’t even see half of him,” Thomas said of Nix. “I just threw out my arm and hoped to God he still had the ball.”
The timing was flawless. Thomas’ momentum from the reverse spin carried him directly into Nix, who took a shot on his right leg before going down.
Rookie R Mason Thomas with the spin move right into a sack
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Asked what went through his mind the moment he registered his first NFL sack, Thomas grinned.
“I lost my mind after that,” he said. “First one down, and then you just want more.”
The highlight was one of two viral plays from Chiefs defensive line rookies after the team’s 31-10 home victory over the Broncos.
The other came from first-round defensive tackle Peter Woods — after getting double-teamed and losing his footing, he popped up immediately to tackle running back J.K. Dobbins.
Woods said Wednesday his play was more about will than technique. He acknowledged losing his balance at the point of contact with both offensive linemen, which sent him toppling over.
“After that, it gets pretty unexplainable,” Woods said. “Just kind of reaction.”
While kneeling, Woods kept his right arm planted in the middle of Broncos guard Ben Powers’ chest, using the ground for leverage to push him back. He then sprang to his feet, split through the Broncos linemen to return to his gap responsibility, and wrapped up Dobbins for an assisted tackle.
CBS Sports draft analyst Mike Renner called it “one of the most athletic recoveries vs. a double team you’ll ever see” from an NFL defensive tackle.
“It was a spur-of-the-moment play. Not really anything planned,” Woods said. “Just hard to explain from a technical standpoint — beyond effort and want-to.”
The plays were only part of an impressive debut for the Chiefs’ defensive rookies. First-round cornerback Mansoor Delane intercepted a pass on Denver’s first drive before leaving with a shoulder injury; he was a full practice participant Wednesday, and coach Andy Reid said he expects Delane to play Week 2 against the Colts.
Thomas posted the Chiefs’ first Week 1 sack by a rookie since 2022, while Woods’ Pro Football Focus grade ranked third among the team’s defensive players.
“It’s just the scratching surface for those guys,” linebacker Nick Bolton said. “But I’m super proud of where they’re at.”
Woods called the game a confidence-booster. He was one of the early standouts in training camp before an ankle injury limited his burst during the preseason.
“Obviously there’s some stuff I’ve been flashing for a minute,” Woods said. “Being able to put it together against another team, against other faces… the Broncos have a great O-line, so to play a game like that is very promising to myself.”
Thomas said it was surreal getting his first NFL experience at Arrowhead Stadium.
“When they did the introduction for Patrick Mahomes… crazy. I couldn’t even hear my thoughts when Patty came out, and he just went crazy,” Thomas said with a laugh. “That was wild.”
