{"id":69834,"date":"2025-06-14T07:15:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T07:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=69834"},"modified":"2025-06-14T07:15:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T07:15:54","slug":"jaden-hicks-should-have-increased-role-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=69834","title":{"rendered":"Jaden Hicks should have increased role in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Chiefs<\/p>\n

After flashing potential during his rookie campaign and showing poise throughout voluntary organized team activities (OTAs), safety Jaden Hicks is embracing a more vocal, visible role in the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 secondary. And he\u2019s doing it with the sting of last season\u2019s Super Bowl loss as added fuel.<\/p>\n

Veteran<\/strong> mindset in Year 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When asked to break down a standout 7-on-7 play during OTAs, Hicks described the sequence with the kind of clarity that only comes from film study and instinct.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a corner blitz. I know I got the one. I seen Xavier Worthy, so you know, that\u2019s a speedy guy. Just tried to stay on top of him and obviously just make the play,\u201d Hicks said. \u201cAnd yeah, that just shaped out for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a quick moment in a padded-less OTA session, but it speaks volumes. Covering a burner like Worthy and staying disciplined in a disguised look shows Hicks is putting the mental reps to use. And he\u2019s preparing to be on the field much more this season.<\/p>\n

Embracing opportunity<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good group of guys right now,\u201d Hicks said of the competition in the safety room. \u201cWe\u2019re all competing, trying to earn that spot\u2026 I\u2019m just trying to be my best, be the best for the team and go on from there.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a rookie last season, Hicks\u2019 snap count grew steadily as the year went on. This year, he\u2019s aiming to start fast and stay consistent.<\/p>\n

He credits former Chiefs safety Justin Reid for accelerating his development.<\/p>\n

\u201cJustin Reid was a great help,\u201d Hicks said. \u201cHe really did a great job taking me under his wing\u2026 just being savvy, know how to disguise the defense. That\u2019s a big part of our scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, the student becomes the teacher.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we all got a voice in this room\u2026 but I gotta step up, you know, be a voice out there. And, you know, just lead the defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Growth from the rookie season<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hicks is far more grounded entering Year 2.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost definitely,\u201d he said when asked if he felt more comfortable. \u201cThere\u2019s still room to grow, but just keep stacking the days, keep getting better each day\u2026 I think that\u2019s the most important thing for this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also dialed in on mastering the full defensive scheme.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust learning everything about the defense\u2026 playing multiple positions. You\u2019ve got to learn what everyone else is doing,\u201d Hicks explained. \u201cSo I think just staying in the playbook.\u201d<\/p>\n

That familiarity is paying off during OTAs.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a rookie last year, with all that piled onto me, you know, your head\u2019s scrambling, right?\u201d he said. \u201cNow that I\u2019ve got it under control, it\u2019s easier\u2026 I\u2019m able to play faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

The drive after defeat<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For Hicks and the Chiefs, last season\u2019s Super Bowl loss still lingers. But it\u2019s no longer a cloud; it\u2019s motivation.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing there my first year, you know, that\u2019s super cool, but I want to win. I want that ring,\u201d Hicks said. \u201cThat\u2019s something we\u2019re all striving for.\u201d<\/p>\n

He senses the tone shift around the building.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter this season, I think there was a little change. Everyone\u2019s mentality just clicked up that much higher\u2026 It\u2019s very professional, and the thing that we need to do this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As Kansas City reloads for another deep postseason run, Hicks\u2019 development could be pivotal. The physical tools are there. The mental side is catching up fast. And now, the leadership spark is starting to show.<\/p>\n

Asked to compare the Xavier Worthy coverage play to where he was a year ago, Hicks didn\u2019t flinch.<\/p>\n

\u201cA year ago? You know, I think I still make that play,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m still the athletic safety. I can still make any play. I believe that.\u201d<\/p>\n

That belief is starting to resonate across the Chiefs\u2019 defense. And if Hicks continues on this trajectory, he won\u2019t just be filling shoes, he\u2019ll be making his own footprint.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Year 2 without Justin Reid, Hicks should see much more playing time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":69835,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nJaden Hicks should have increased role in 2025 - News 365<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=69834\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jaden Hicks should have increased role in 2025 - News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In Year 2 without Justin Reid, Hicks should see much more playing time.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=69834\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-14T07:15:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/chies4-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MrLuu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MrLuu\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=69834\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=69834\",\"name\":\"Jaden Hicks should have increased role in 2025 - 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