Tillery brings global perspective, disciplined edge and a new chemistry with Chris Jones to Kansas City’s defensive front.
Jerry Tillery is a defensive lineman with a global mindset and a clear purpose.
In his first offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Notre Dame alum is embarking on a fresh chapter of his career — one shaped by discipline, perspective and an unwavering belief in doing things the right way.
Whether it’s his approach to football or his knack for languages and world travel, Tillery’s outlook is as expansive as his 6-foot-6 frame.
A new challenge and proven culture
“I think all organizations do this a little bit differently, right?” said Tillery. “You can sort of tell the priorities of a place by, you know, where they invest and how they structure the days. And the Chiefs do it right.”
Tillery didn’t just sign with a contender; he joined a team whose culture of expectation and consistency is built into the very foundation of its success.
“The way we come to work focused every day, there’s a very high level of expectations on everybody. And, you know, it’s important to buy in quickly, which I think that I have… The coaches are tough. The practices are difficult. But it’s all geared towards winning, towards, you know, getting the best out of yourself. And that’s why I’m here.”
Learning from the best
The transition to Kansas City also means teaming up with one of the league’s most dominant forces on the interior: Chris Jones.
“He’s gifted physically and mentally,” said Tillery. “He knows the game, this defense like the back of his hand, and that allows you to play freer and have your best stuff every play, which he really does.”
He didn’t hold back on the respect he’s developed.
“Chris Jones rushing the passer is really something to behold. And, you know, we all have something to learn from him. I’m blessed to be working with him every day.”
Jones, in turn, shared his early impressions of his new line mate.
“We’ve been [rivals] for a minute,” Jones said. “Jerry is an interesting character. Good guy. Good guy. Good guy. He doesn’t really talk as much, but he’s an interesting guy. He likes to golf. He’s invited me to golf a couple times. When the time permits itself, we’re going to get out and swing some clubs.”
The Joe Cullen effect
Defensive line coach Joe Cullen is also quickly making an impression.
“Aside from the accent,” he started, “I think he is a great coach. I think he knows the game really well. He’s very personable. You know, people forget about the personal aspect of playing this game. We’re all human, and I think we work best with people we like. And, you know, coach Cullen is very likable.”
Tillery praised Cullen’s focus on practical, effective reps.
“The drills and the techniques that we practice show up all over the tape. And that’s what you want… Coach Cullen stays away from the things that we don’t need. And he hammers what shows up on tape.”
More than a football player
Perhaps what makes Tillery stand out most is his worldliness. When asked what the most interesting thing about him is, he paused.
“Wow, that’s a tough one,” he said. “But I just think the way I approach my work, my life — it’s all about doing the best thing for myself, my family, those around me. So I’m looking forward to getting on the field with Chris and doing some interesting things out there.”
He’s traveled extensively and picked up languages along the way. He knows Japanese and is currently working on Spanish. Tillery smiled at the suggestion of Portuguese for Brazil, where Kansas City will play in Week 1.
“Portuguese is pretty close to Spanish, so there’s a little bit of a similarity… it’s all the same, you know, the Romance languages.”
His love for exploration started back at Notre Dame.
“It was, in fact,” he said when asked if it all began there. “I studied abroad my freshman year… and that kind of opened up the world — literally — for me. And so I took it from there and ran with it.”
Looking ahead
With a veteran mindset, a well-traveled lens and a drive to contribute to a championship-caliber defensive line, Jerry Tillery isn’t just joining the Chiefs. He’s bringing depth, maturity and an intellectual fire to one of the NFL’s fiercest units.