This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Cooper McDonald.
In his interview with Easton Jr., McDonald discussed his partnership with premium outdoor brand SITKA Gear and shared his mindset working with the Chiefs coaching staff.
"I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and my dad was born in California, but lived most of his life here in Missouri. We have a ranch here in Missouri, so I mean, he took us up here when we were youngsters," said McDonald. "So, I mean, that's kind of all where it started. We start fishing and then hunting. We've always been an outdoors family, for sure."
McDonald continues to maintain the same mindset that got him on the team last year, despite his more secure role this season.
"I stay with
what I've been doing and how I ended up on the 53. I kind of stay in that mindset," said McDonald, "but at the same time, there is a little more pressure because now I'm expected to perform, expected to do my job at a high level and execute, and all the other 10 guys in the field are expecting me to do the same too."
During his rookie season, McDonald worked closely with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and special teams coordinator Dave Toub. He praises the experience and lessons he continues to learn from them as he heads into the 2026 campaign.
"It's been great. The whole coaching staff is great. As a group, there's a ton of experience across the coaching staff. Being able to work with Coach (Dave) Toub on special teams last year, which is what I did most of the season," said McDonald. "It was great to work with him and see how he works special teams, and then Coach (Steve) Spagnuolo he's great, a soon-to-be Hall of Famer. His defensive mind is incredible. I've learned and developed so much just from last year to this year, in one year, just being in his defense; it's amazing."
SITKA Gear, the premium outdoor apparel brand known for pushing the boundaries of hunting and fishing performance, recently announced the launch of "For the Obsessed." A new creative platform built upon a simple reframe: Obsession isn't a flaw. It's the defining trait of the modern sportsman.
Go to sitkagear.com to learn more about how SITKA enhances the full life experience of the hunter.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Cooper McDonald on his mindset working with the Chiefs coaching staff
