KC Chiefs’ Carlos Dunlap embraces ‘great opportunity with a great organization’

Veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap on Thursday made his first appearance in a Chiefs uniform at training camp since signing a one-year deal last week.

Dunlap, though, didn’t do much outside of observing practice on the sideline with his helmet in hand. He also spent time off to the side with Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen.

The lack of on-field activity is by design as Dunlap acclimates to football activities and the Chiefs’ defensive playbook.

“It’s really going to be us figuring out what he can do, where to put him — there’s a lot of that going on right now,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said after Thursday’s practice. “I don’t think he got a rep there in the 10-10-10 (practice) because he’s really not up to speed on what we’re doing. I think Andy (Reid) probably said the same thing with Orlando Brown, although Orlando Brown has been here, so he knows what he’s doing.

“It’s going to be a little bit of a ramp-up. When he feels like he’s got it down, we’ll get him in there and get him rolling.”

The courtship with Dunlap picked up steam in late July, leading to the Chiefs bringing in the two-time Pro Bowler for a free-agent visit.

Dunlap had choices, pointing out there “were a couple of other teams” in pursuit for his services as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers over the past decade. But his patient approach to finding his next team paid off after a late-night meeting at training camp with members of the Chiefs’ coaching staff, including Reid and Spagnuolo.

“This is my 13th year (in the NFL),” Dunlap said. “I’ve done it 12 different ways, so I wanted to make sure I made an educated decision and went with the team where there was mutual interest, my ability to play, how to be used and the opportunity to win because at this point, I’ve done a lot of football.”

While he’s been productive, amassing 96 sacks in his career, having a realistic opportunity to pursue a championship has evaded Dunlap, who entered the league in 2010 as a second-round pick with the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent 11 1/2 seasons with the Bengals before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2020.

Now on a new team, Dunlap believes the Chiefs provide the chance to record a couple of notable career firsts.

“One of the things I have not done is I haven’t gone over 100 sacks, I haven’t won a playoff game and I clearly haven’t won a Super Bowl,” Dunlap said. “So, those are things I’d like to do at this point of my career. I’m in hot pursuit and I feel like this team gives me a great opportunity, the best opportunity to do it.”

The Chiefs will give Dunlap a few days to see how he best fits with a defensive line that includes Frank Clark, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Tershawn Wharton and Joshua Kaindoh.

The Chiefs’ newest pass rusher looks forward to contributing once he gets the chance to show what he can do.

“Great opportunity with a great organization,” Dunlap said. “What they’ve done the last few years, playing against them on the other side of the ball, I wanted to add my specialties to it and we felt like we had mutual interest.”

PARTICIPATION REPORT

Wide receiver Daurice Fountain (groin), wide receiver Greg Jennings (concussion) and tight end Jody Fortson (quad) did not practice Thursday. Fortson has now missed four straight practices.

Cornerback Rashad Fenton (shoulder) and tackle Lucas Niang (knee) remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho (leg) was apparently medically cleared and removed from the PUP list, because he was observed on the practice field with his helmet and participating in football activities.

OBSERVATIONS

• The Chiefs went through a 10-10-10 practice session, which consists of the first-team offense squaring off against the second-team defense and the second-team offense going against the first-team defense. Each unit gets either 10 plays or 10 minutes of work, and the Thursday morning session lasted a lightning-fast one hour and 15 minutes. The Chiefs are off Friday, and then resume training camp on Saturday.

• Rookie Jaylen Watson worked with the first-team defense at the left cornerback position for a second straight day. Spagnuolo explained after practice that he is rotating Watson with rookie cornerback Joshua Williams, who opened training camp with the starters. “Nobody is handed over a spot, right?” Spagnuolo said. “When you get a little bit comfortable, that’s not a good thing in this business.”

• The Chiefs ran a Wildcat formation with Mecole Hardman under center during 11-on-11 drills to the delight of the crowd. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes split wide right on the play.

• During an 11-on-11 drill, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed rushed quarterback Shane Beuchele and deflected the football just as Beuchele released a pass. Defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton secured the loose ball in the air for an interception.

• Rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie continued to rotate with the punt returner group, which included Hardman, rookie Skyy Moore and Corey Coleman.