Retired Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson reflects on practices with Tony Gonzalez, Travis Kelce

USA Today

2 days ago

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his memories practicing opposite superstar tight ends Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce.
"This book exemplifies adverse moments where a bully is; you have to handle a bully. You have to handle sportsmanship, working well with others, being nice to people, remembering something that happened, being bad, where you failed, and not letting that hurt you." said Johnson, "This time, knowing that everybody's best looks a little different, being content with saying, hey, if I did my best, it might not, I may not get first place. But you know what I'm proud of, what I put out, even if it's in the classroom or on the field day, obviously the book (Super DJ Saves Field Day)."
Johnson began his career with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez as a leader on the Chiefs. They remained teammates until Gonzalez's departure to the Atlanta Falcons after the 2008 season.
"Tony Gonzalez, man. I mean, he was well-established when I came there in 2005. I don't know if he was already a seven, eight-year, seven-year guy, but he was the man. And you can tell, you can tell, right when you get out there, you're like, man, I was super athletic, but he's still going to catch the ball. He's just what it is. He's just a mastermind regarding route running." Johnson said, "He's very, very consistent. He catches everything. He's not the fastest, or even the biggest or the strongest, but just being consistent at running efficient routes, and he wanted the ball. I mean, if, even if he wasn't open, he's going back to the quarterback, Trent Green, and all those guys back in the day, 'I'm open. Give me the ball. So those kinds of guys have a high ceiling and are destined to be great."
Kelce was drafted by Kansas City in 2013. He enters the 2025 season third all-time behind Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten in tight end yards. He is only 2,977 yards behind Gonzalez for the most for a tight end in NFL history.
"I saw Travis Kelce when he first got there. He was hurt for a year and a half, so he got off slow, and I didn't even know who he was. I've seen a lot of players. I played 13 years for Kansas City and seeing him, I'm like, "Okay, you've got another big tight end with some potential, but we'll see what he is." You don't know. But after his second year, I'm like, Man, this guy is the real deal. He's different from Tony," said Johnson, "He's a really good catcher, but his route running is different. He's more vertical down the field when he does run in immediate routes. He has a wiggle about him that's very subtle, a silent killer that you say, Man, why aren't they getting this big guy down? He's got some wiggle in him, which I think is different from any tight end I've ever seen before. He knows how to get yards after catch, and he's playing with the best quarterback (Patrick Mahomes) ever. So that's a great combination. It's cool to see him come from a rookie coming into the league a little hurt, then finding his way and just blowing up. I mean, Hall of Fame tight end."
Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing.
Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now!
Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.