PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers outside linebacker Taco Charlton said with a smile Wednesday he knows the Chiefs offense is 'kinda good'.
Charlton took more snaps against the Kansas City starting offense than any opponent last year. The 27-year-old was a depth pass rusher for KC playing in seven games before an injury with a forced fumble, pair of sacks and seven tackles.
There is so much tape on Kansas City that the advantage of players who used to be with a team is not as great you might think. Now with the Steelers, wherever Charlton can fill in the blanks, he's ready to help.
"Some keys and some verbiage I will already know," Charlton said. "It will come back to me. I may be able to get a little read on a couple of things I see similar."
Bottom line Charlton said, it will be another game to go against a good team. Not only a good team, but the hottest team in the NFL with seven consecutive wins. It starts with 26-year-old quarterback Patrick Mahomes. During the win streak, Mahomes has thrown 12 touchdowns to four interceptions adding another TD running.
"Pat is a great player," Charlton said. "His arm talent, he can extend plays, he's very elusive. People say he's not athletic, but he can turn it on when he wants to. He's more athletic than you would think."
"You already know his arm talent and the tremendous talent he is. He is a good leader for those guys over there. The offense goes as he goes."
Mahomes also has some outstanding receivers. Tyreek Hill has 102 receptions for 1,178 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce, who Mike Tomlin called as good as any team's number one receiver, has 83 catches for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns.
Both are currently on the COVID-19 list.
"Obviously losing two of those guys is huge," Charlton said. "The things that Trav (Kelce) can do with the ball in his hands, even 'Reek (Hill), which you have to respect given those guys speed. It definitely makes you adjust. Losing two stars like that would definitely hurt KC in that way."
There is no assurance they will miss the game. They could test out of protocol or the league might move the game if more test positive.
With them throughout their Super Bowl runner-up season in 2020, half on injured reserve, Charlton said he saw in Chiefs practice they have other players that can make you miss.
Charlton also said he's noticed that Mahomes is doing a better job in the second half of this season of not forcing things, taking what the defense gives.
A former number one pick who has bounced around with a couple of teams, Charlton is also trying to establish his career. Brought to the Steelers due to other injuries and the trade of Melvin Ingram to Kansas City, Taco is starting to catch on.
"It took a little bit to get used to especially me, used to having my hand in the dirt and going forward pass rushing in a 4-3 front," Charlton said of moving to outside linebacker with the Steelers. "It took a little adjustment. My athletic ability makes me versatile, so it doesn't feel so foreign (now)."
Charlton has started one of the eight games he's now played in with the Steelers. He made a huge play tipping a pass that Joe Schobert picked off against the Titans. He did that and had two tackles in the seven defensive snaps he played Sunday.
Steelers faced Mahomes one other time, in September of 2018 at home. Mahomes threw for six touchdowns. He had more touchdowns than incompletions (23-28 for 326 yards) in a KC 42-37 win.
Charlton's biggest value this week may just be on the practice field. If he can give the Steelers defense any help defending Patrick Mahomes, that could be the biggest role he's played yet.
