
Chiefs football between the headlines.
The gist
Defending The Kingdom is a Chiefs-focused football show built around weekly stakes, roster context, and team rhythm. It moves from free agency and draft traits to rivalry weeks and playoff positioning with a fan’s urgency and a reporter’s attention to detail.
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About Defending The Kingdom
Defending The Kingdom is a Chiefs show organized around the hidden meaning inside each NFL week. It rarely treats the obvious answer as enough. A regular-season finale can become a study in snap counts, depth, and postseason preparation. A slow stretch of free agency can become a conversation about players with something to prove. A draft preview can narrow in on body type, motor, arm length, scheme fit, and the kind of defensive traits that might appeal to Spags. The tone is energized and conversational, but the football work is specific. The show keeps returning to how Kansas City sustains success after long seasons, short turnarounds, roster churn, and the pressure that comes with being chased. It also understands Chiefs fandom as a living calendar. There is Raider week. There is the bye. There is the legal tampering period, where reports move faster than paperwork. There is the combine, the draft, Power and Light, and the long climb toward the next season. The hosts’ chemistry gives the episodes a loose, familiar pace, with food tangents, personal stories, and running metaphors sitting alongside cap talk and player evaluation. The Chiefs stay at the center, but the show looks outward when the league offers useful lessons. Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, Matt LaFleur, the 49ers, the Broncos, and the Chargers can all become part of the frame. For a listener who already cares about Kansas City, that broader context makes each move feel connected to a larger chase. Defending The Kingdom works best as a companion to the Chiefs year, especially for fans who want enthusiasm tied to practical football reasoning. It is not just reaction. It is anticipation, sorting the next edge before the next whistle.
Made for: For Chiefs fans who follow the team beyond game day and want free agency, draft fits, rivalries, and schedule stakes explained with energy. It also suits NFL listeners who enjoy team-specific analysis with broader league context.
What sets it apart: The show blends Chiefs proximity with detailed, conversational football evaluation. It can move from a breaking DeAndre Hopkins reaction to a discussion of defensive length, cap room, or Week 18 snap counts without losing the fan-level charge.
In their own words
Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus and Chiefs Reporter Matt McMullen - plus various special guests - break down the latest news and storylines in Chiefs Kingdom.
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Episodes
- 1
Deuces are Wild | Catching up with Dustin Colquitt, plus OTA Updates | Defending The Kingdom
·42m - 2
'Something to Prove' - Recapping the Second Wave of Free Agency | Defending The Kingdom
·34m - 3
'Happy New Year w/ Kenneth Walker' | Defending The Kingdom
·52m - 4
'Tags, Trades and Practical Analytics w/ Cynthia Frelund' | Defending The Kingdom
·55m - 5
Checking in from the Combine w/ Executives Chris Shea and Ryne Nutt | Defending The Kingdom
·52m - 6
NFL Combine Preview w/ WRs Coach Chad O'Shea | Defending The Kingdom
·36m - 7
'EB Returns' - Chatting with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy | Defending The Kingdom
·49m - 8
'The Pivot' - Chiefs Offseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·1h 33m - 9
'Click and Drag' - Chiefs Training Camp Update & Preseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·22m - 10
'The Next Box' - Chiefs vs Browns Preview w/ CB Trent McDuffie | Defending The Kingdom
·36m - 11
'Capture the Flag, Hat & Shirt' - Chiefs vs Chargers Preview w/ Justin Watson | Defending The Kingdom
·35m - 12
'Happy Thanksgiving!' - Week 13: Chiefs vs Raiders Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·33m - 13
'Don't Fall For It' - Week 12: Chiefs vs Panthers Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·25m - 14
The Reasons Behind 9-0 w/ Leo Chenal | Defending The Kingdom
·36m - 15
'Why You Win' - Chiefs vs. Raiders Preview w/ Chu Godrick | Defending The Kingdom
·1h 14m - 16
New Developments, plus a Stadium Update from Chairman & CEO Clark Hunt | Defending The Kingdom
·1h 17m - 17
'Music City Motivation' - Chiefs vs. Titans Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·1h 9m - 18
'Hold the Fort' - Chiefs vs. Chargers Preview w/ George Karlaftis | Defending The Kingdom
·55m - 19
'Attack December & Earn It' - Chiefs vs. Texans Game Preview w/ Nick Bolton | Defending The Kindgom
·1h 9m - 20
'The Layers to This Game' - Chiefs vs. Cowboys Preview | Defending the Kingdom
·1h 15m - 21
'It's a One-Game Season' - Chiefs vs. Colts Preview w/ Kareem Hunt | Defending the Kingdom
·56m - 22
'Critical Moments' - Chiefs vs. Broncos Preview w/ Kingsley Suamataia | Defending The Kingdom
·1h 12m - 23
'The 14th Time and the 6th Time' - Chiefs vs. Bills Preview w/ Mike Danna | Defending The Kingdom
·1h 1m - 24
'To Be Unselfish' - Chiefs vs. Commanders Preview w/ Xavier Worthy | Defending The Kingdom
·55m - 25
'Area Codes and Zip Codes' - Chiefs vs. Raiders Preview w/ Leo Chenal | Defending The Kingdom
·57m - 26
'Perspective & Role Reversal' - Chiefs vs. Lions Preview w/ Hollywood Brown | Defending The Kingdom
·55m - 27
'Steals and Stops' - Chiefs. vs. Jaguars Preview w/Drue Tranquill | Defending The Kingdom
·50m - 28
'The 1-2-2 Zone' | Chiefs vs. Ravens Preview w/ Charles Omenihu - Defending The Kingdom
·54m - 29
'What Opportunities?' | Chiefs vs. Giants Preview w/ Ashton Gillotte - Defending The Kingdom
·42m - 30
'The Discomfort Zone' | Chiefs vs. Eagles Preview w/ JuJu Smith-Schuster - Defending the Kingdom
·32m - 31
'The 66th Team...So Far' - Chiefs Roster Breakdown | Defending The Kingdom
·29m - 32
'Decisions, Decisions' - Roster Cuts Preview w/ Field Yates | Defending The Kingdom
·33m - 33
'The First Push' - Training Camp Update | Defending The Kingdom
·21m - 34
'Attack Everything' - Checking in from Chiefs Camp | Defending The Kingdom
·28m - 35
'It Never Happens' - Offseason Training Program Recap | Defending The Kingdom
·40m - 36
'Attendance, Attitude & Ahead of Schedule' - Week 3 Practice Recap | Defending The Kingdom
·37m - 37
'Run with It w/ RBs Coach DeMarco Murray + Flag Football Announcement!' | Defending The Kingdom
·38m - 38
'OTAs and Chris Shea' - Breaking Down Week 1 of Chiefs OTA Practices | Defending The Kingdom
·47m - 39
'The 66th Schedule' - Chiefs 2025 Schedule Breakdown | Defending The Kingdom
·57m - 40
'OEI: Orientation, Evaluation, Installation' - Chiefs Rookie Minicamp Recap | Defending The Kingdom
·43m - 41
'The Class of 2025' - Breaking Down the Chiefs Draft w/ Josh Simmons | Defending The Kingdom
·52m - 42
'In Veach’s Guys We Trust' - NFL Draft Preview w/ Sr. Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway | Defending The Kingdom
·30m - 43
'Prepared in Position' - NFL Draft Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·39m - 44
'Spartacus Tribute & GRB 2.0' - Chiefs Offseason Update | Defending The Kingdom
·50m - 45
'Green, Red and Black' - Chiefs Week 1 Free Agency Recap | Defending The Kingdom
·57m - 46
'Auditing Assets' - Offseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·42m - 47
'That Much Closer' - Super Bowl LIX Part 3 | Defending The Kingdom
·24m - 48
'Checking in From New Orleans' - Super Bowl LIX Part 2 | Defending The Kingdom
·24m - 49
'You Can't Make This Up' - Super Bowl LIX Part 1 | Defending The Kingdom
·41m - 50
'The Moment' - Bills vs Chiefs Preview w/ Charles Omenihu | Defending The Kingdom
·36m - 51
'Turned Up a Notch' - Texans vs Chiefs Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·39m - 52
'E Squared=?' - Chiefs Postseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·36m - 53
'Why This Matters' - Chiefs vs Broncos Game Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·33m - 54
'Playoffs Before the Playoffs' - Chiefs vs Texans Preview w/ Justin Reid | Defending The Kingdom
·34m - 55
'Veach Never Sleeps 2.0' - How Brett Veach's Moves Led to 8-0 | Defending The Kingdom
·32m - 56
'Attack It' - Saints vs Chiefs Preview w/ Jaylen Watson | Defending The Kingdom
·32m - 57
'D-Bet Defense' w/ Nick Bolton | Defending The Kingdom
·29m - 58
Week 3 Focus: Chiefs vs. Falcons Preview w/ Chamarri Conner | Defending The Kingdom
·30m - 59
'The Formula' - 2024 Season Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·38m - 60
'Dawg Days' - Training Camp Update | Defending The Kingdom
·27m - 61
'Tempo' - Checking in From Training Camp | Defending The Kingdom
·27m - 62
'The Plant Shutdown' - Training Camp Preview | Defending The Kingdom
·30m - 63
'ABCs of OTAs' - Chiefs OTA Recap | Defending The Kingdom
·29m - 64
Map-Quest | Breaking Down the Chiefs’ 2024 Schedule | Defending The Kingdom
·26m - 65
Toe in the Water ft. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema | Rookie Minicamp & UDFA Breakdown | Defending the Kingdom
·47m - 66
The Class of 2024: Breaking Down the Chiefs’ Draft | Defending The Kingdom 4/28
·34m - 67
IAC - It All Counts | 2024 NFL Draft Preview | Defending the Kingdom 4/24
·45m - 68
Staffing the Outposts | Chatting with Chiefs College Scouts | Defending the Kingdom 4/8
·45m - 69
The Second Wave | Defending the Kingdom
·31m - 70
Stone Cold Lock, Big Vote & the New York Stock Exchange | Defending the Kingdom 3/15
·50m - 71
The 64th Team: Set Apart | Super Bowl LVIII Championship Edition | Defending the Kingdom 3/4
·35m - 72
The Season with Peter Schrager: Steve Spagnuolo, Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator
·1h 4m - 73
Fix It to the Finish Line | Super Bowl LVIII Part Three | Defending the Kingdom 2/9
·33m - 74
An Unexpected Collision | Super Bowl LVIII Part Two | Defending the Kingdom 2/7
·25m - 75
Different Path, Same Destination | Super Bowl LVIII Part One | Defending The Kingdom 1/31
·39m - 76
Lamar Hunt’s Trophy: Part 6 | Chiefs vs. Ravens Preview ft. Trey Smith | Defending The Kingdom 1/24
·40m - 77
Another Chapter | Chiefs. vs. Bills Preview | Defending the Kingdom 1/17
·27m - 78
Dashes & Letters | Chiefs. vs. Dolphins Preview feat. George Karlaftis | Defending the Kingdom
·29m - 79
What This Means | Chiefs vs. Chargers Preview feat. Isiah Pacheco | Defending the Kingdom
·28m - 80
O-Line U: Catalyst to a Win | Chiefs vs. Bengals Preview feat. Creed Humphrey | Defending the Kingdom
·27m - 81
Don’t Take It For Granted | Chiefs vs. Raiders Preview feat. Charles Omenihu | Defending the Kingdom
·36m - 82
Both Ends of the Spectrum | Chiefs vs. Patriots Preview feat. Wanya Morris | Defending the Kingdom
·37m - 83
Find It | Chiefs vs. Bills Preview | Defending The Kingdom 12/7
·22m - 84
Stack vs. Pack | Chiefs vs. Packers Preview feat. Rashee Rice | Defending the Kingdom 11/29
·26m - 85
Next Play, Next Game…It’s Raiders Week! | Defending the Kingdom | Chiefs vs. Raiders Week 12
·22m - 86
STS-PTC-SBR | Chiefs vs. Eagles Preview LIVE from Tom’s Town! | Defending The Kingdom 11/16
·1h - 87
Greetings from Frankfurt! 🛬 🇩🇪 Defending the Kingdom | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins
·21m - 88
We’re Headed to Frankfurt! | Defending the Kingdom ft. Sleep Number | Chiefs vs. Dolphins
·41m - 89
Returning Home, but Back on the Road | Defending the Kingdom ft. Mecole Hardman | Chiefs vs. Broncos
·36m - 90
What’s Going on Out Here? | Defending the Kingdom ft. Trent McDuffie | Chiefs vs. Chargers
·29m - 91
TNI: Thursday Night Importance | TNF Memories With Tony Gonzalez | Defending the Kingdom
·36m - 92
Evolution of the Safety | Chiefs vs. Vikings Preview feat. Mike Edwards | Defending the Kingdom
·28m - 93
All Aboard feat. Jerick McKinnon | Defending The Kingdom | Chiefs vs. Jets Week 4 Preview
·26m - 94
The Wizard of Spags | Defending the Kingdom | Chiefs vs. Bears Preview
·34m - 95
Clean Up on Aisle 2 | Chiefs vs. Jaguars Preview | Defending the Kingdom 9/13
·19m - 96
The 53, the 69 and the Curtain Rises | Roster Cuts Recap | Defending the Kingdom 9/1
·30m - 97
'The Tour de France' - Chiefs vs 49ers Preview w/ JuJu Smith-Schuster | Defending The Kingdom
Mitch Holtis and Matt McMullen preview the Chiefs vs 49ers Week 7 matchup, comparing the NFL season to the Tour de France.
·34m - 98
'The Last Team' - Raider Week Preview w/ Mecole Hardman + DeAndre Hopkins Reaction | Defending The Kingdom
A preview of the Chiefs' Week 8 game against the Raiders, including reaction to the DeAndre Hopkins trade.
·41m - 99
'O Começo (The Beginning)' - Chiefs vs. Chargers Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Mitch Holtis and Matt McMullen preview the Kansas City Chiefs' season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
·28m - 100
'The Next Train Stop' - Chiefs vs Bucs Preview w/ George Karlaftis | Defending The Kingdom
Mitch Holtis and Matt McMullen preview the Chiefs vs Buccaneers game, discuss the overwhelming Chiefs fan presence in Las Vegas, and critique a bizarre national anthem performance.
·34m - 101
'Like 'Em?' - NFL Draft Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Hidden gemMitch Holters and Matt McMullen preview the 2026 NFL Draft, discussing player evaluation and team needs for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Apr 15, 2026·38m·2 clips - 102
'Run with It w/ RBs Coach DeMarco Murray + Flag Football Announcement!' | Defending The Kingdom
Defending The Kingdom’s “Run with It” episode features Chiefs running backs coach DeMarco Murray and football development director Sheila Sikow.
Apr 2, 2026·38m·2 clips - 103
'Something to Prove' - Recapping the Second Wave of Free Agency | Defending The Kingdom
Mitch Holthus and Matt McMullen examine three Kansas City Chiefs additions from the second wave of free agency through the theme of having “something to prove.” Cater Kohu is presented as a Division II, undrafted slot corner with 38 Dolphins starts, eight pass breakups in each season from 2022 through 2024, and an ACL recovery ahead of him.
Mar 26, 2026·34m·2 clips - 104
'Happy New Year w/ Kenneth Walker' | Defending The Kingdom
Defending The Kingdom examines Kansas City's 2026 roster decisions, beginning with the Max Crosby trade that was reported before being canceled and followed by Baltimore's signing of Trey Hendrickson.
Mar 13, 2026·52m·3 clips - 105
'Tags, Trades and Practical Analytics w/ Cynthia Frelund' | Defending The Kingdom
The hosts discuss their experience at the NFL combine, including the famous St.
Mar 6, 2026·55m - 106
Checking in from the Combine w/ Executives Chris Shea and Ryne Nutt | Defending The Kingdom
Feb 25, 2026·52m - 107
NFL Combine Preview w/ WRs Coach Chad O'Shea | Defending The Kingdom
Feb 20, 2026·36m - 108
'EB Returns' - Chatting with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy | Defending The Kingdom
Jan 29, 2026·49m - 109
'The Pivot' - Chiefs Offseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Mitch Holthus and Matt McMullen examine the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason pivot after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
Jan 15, 2026·1h 33m·5 clips - 110
'Why You Win' - Chiefs vs. Raiders Preview w/ Chu Godrick | Defending The Kingdom
Jan 1, 2026·1h 14m - 111
New Developments, plus a Stadium Update from Chairman & CEO Clark Hunt | Defending The Kingdom
Dec 24, 2025·1h 17m - 112
'Music City Motivation' - Chiefs vs. Titans Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Dec 19, 2025·1h 9m - 113
'Hold the Fort' - Chiefs vs. Chargers Preview w/ George Karlaftis | Defending The Kingdom
Dec 10, 2025·55m - 114
'Attack December & Earn It' - Chiefs vs. Texans Game Preview w/ Nick Bolton | Defending The Kindgom
Dec 4, 2025·1h 9m - 115
'The Layers to This Game' - Chiefs vs. Cowboys Preview | Defending the Kingdom
Nov 26, 2025·1h 15m - 116
'It's a One-Game Season' - Chiefs vs. Colts Preview w/ Kareem Hunt | Defending the Kingdom
Nov 19, 2025·56m - 117
'Critical Moments' - Chiefs vs. Broncos Preview w/ Kingsley Suamataia | Defending The Kingdom
Nov 14, 2025·1h 12m - 118
'The 14th Time and the 6th Time' - Chiefs vs. Bills Preview w/ Mike Danna | Defending The Kingdom
Oct 30, 2025·1h 1m - 119
'To Be Unselfish' - Chiefs vs. Commanders Preview w/ Xavier Worthy | Defending The Kingdom
Oct 24, 2025·55m - 120
'Area Codes and Zip Codes' - Chiefs vs. Raiders Preview w/ Leo Chenal | Defending The Kingdom
Oct 17, 2025·57m - 121
'Perspective & Role Reversal' - Chiefs vs. Lions Preview w/ Hollywood Brown | Defending The Kingdom
Oct 10, 2025·55m - 122
'Steals and Stops' - Chiefs. vs. Jaguars Preview w/Drue Tranquill | Defending The Kingdom
Oct 2, 2025·50m - 123
'The 1-2-2 Zone' | Chiefs vs. Ravens Preview w/ Charles Omenihu - Defending The Kingdom
Sep 25, 2025·54m - 124
'What Opportunities?' | Chiefs vs. Giants Preview w/ Ashton Gillotte - Defending The Kingdom
Sep 18, 2025·42m - 125
'The Discomfort Zone' | Chiefs vs. Eagles Preview w/ JuJu Smith-Schuster - Defending the Kingdom
Sep 10, 2025·32m - 126
'O Começo (The Beginning)' - Chiefs vs. Chargers Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Sep 3, 2025·28m - 127
'The 66th Team...So Far' - Chiefs Roster Breakdown | Defending The Kingdom
Aug 29, 2025·29m - 128
'Decisions, Decisions' - Roster Cuts Preview w/ Field Yates | Defending The Kingdom
Aug 20, 2025·33m - 129
'Click and Drag' - Chiefs Training Camp Update & Preseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Aug 5, 2025·22m - 130
'The First Push' - Training Camp Update | Defending The Kingdom
Jul 29, 2025·21m - 131
'Attack Everything' - Checking in from Chiefs Camp | Defending The Kingdom
Jul 23, 2025·28m - 132
'It Never Happens' - Offseason Training Program Recap | Defending The Kingdom
Jun 27, 2025·40m - 133
'Attendance, Attitude & Ahead of Schedule' - Week 3 Practice Recap | Defending The Kingdom
Jun 16, 2025·37m - 134
Deuces are Wild | Catching up with Dustin Colquitt, plus OTA Updates | Defending The Kingdom
Jun 6, 2025·42m - 135
'OTAs and Chris Shea' - Breaking Down Week 1 of Chiefs OTA Practices | Defending The Kingdom
Jun 3, 2025·47m - 136
'The 66th Schedule' - Chiefs 2025 Schedule Breakdown | Defending The Kingdom
May 15, 2025·57m - 137
'OEI: Orientation, Evaluation, Installation' - Chiefs Rookie Minicamp Recap | Defending The Kingdom
May 9, 2025·43m - 138
'The Class of 2025' - Breaking Down the Chiefs Draft w/ Josh Simmons | Defending The Kingdom
May 1, 2025·52m - 139
'In Veach’s Guys We Trust' - NFL Draft Preview w/ Sr. Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway | Defending The Kingdom
Apr 21, 2025·30m - 140
'Prepared in Position' - NFL Draft Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Apr 12, 2025·39m - 141
'Spartacus Tribute & GRB 2.0' - Chiefs Offseason Update | Defending The Kingdom
Mar 28, 2025·50m - 142
'Green, Red and Black' - Chiefs Week 1 Free Agency Recap | Defending The Kingdom
Mar 16, 2025·57m - 143
'Auditing Assets' - Offseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Mar 1, 2025·42m - 144
'That Much Closer' - Super Bowl LIX Part 3 | Defending The Kingdom
Feb 7, 2025·24m - 145
'Checking in From New Orleans' - Super Bowl LIX Part 2 | Defending The Kingdom
Feb 5, 2025·24m - 146
'You Can't Make This Up' - Super Bowl LIX Part 1 | Defending The Kingdom
Jan 30, 2025·41m - 147
'The Moment' - Bills vs Chiefs Preview w/ Charles Omenihu | Defending The Kingdom
Jan 22, 2025·36m - 148
'Turned Up a Notch' - Texans vs Chiefs Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Jan 16, 2025·39m - 149
'E Squared=?' - Chiefs Postseason Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Jan 10, 2025·36m - 150
'Why This Matters' - Chiefs vs Broncos Game Preview | Defending The Kingdom
Mitch Holtis and Matt McMullen preview the Chiefs vs Broncos Week 18 game, discussing the significance beyond the obvious and celebrating the Chiefs' bye week.
Jan 1, 2025·33m