Eric Berry and Daniel Sorensen both prepare to start fresh in 2018

There’s has been a lot of attention given to the star-studded Kansas City Chiefs offense this preseason, but the defense has a lot to offer too, especially when it comes to the return of Eric Berry and his chemistry with safety Daniel Sorensen, who is back for his fifth season with Kansas City in 2018.

Both Berry and Sorensen are preparing for fresh starts in their own way this season.

While Berry gets ready to take the field again after being out nearly all of last season with an Achilles injury, Sorensen continues to grow into his new role as a starter.

“Yeah, I had an offseason to prepare to play that position – whereas last year I was more focused on what I thought my (secondary) role was going to be,” Sorensen said. “So, I’ve had a whole year to think about it, prepare for it both physically and mentally – it’s been great.”

Being prepared mentally and physically includes being versatile, something that Andy Reid praises Sorensen for — especially when he was asked to do more out of necessity last season.

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“[Sorensen will] jump in and play in dime situations inside nickel situations, so there’s great flexibility and he’s a good special teams player,” Reid said. “He’s come a long way and he’s improving every year. He’s still got work to do, but he’s dependable and his relationship with Eric [Berry] is tremendous.”

And that strong relationship that Berry and Sorensen is to the defensive identity that’s forming at training camp right now.

“The personalities seem to all work together,” Sorensen said about the 2018 defense’s chemistry. “Having Eric (Berry) back this year is a big part of that – with his experience in bringing some of the younger guys along.”

Despite being a veteran himself, Sorensen still feels the impact of Berry’s unique leadership and experience.

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“I got to play a lot of safety last year, so there was a lot of learning and catching up to do. Eric was around last year, but wasn’t on the field,” Sorensen said. “We’re looking forward to this year – having him here. The man has done it all. His experience trickles down to everybody and just being around him you feel like you’re getting better.”

Though Sorensen isn’t the only one impressed with Berry’s influence within this team.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton also agrees that Berry is a special person who also shares a special connection with Sorensen — something that the Chiefs hope will translate over to the field this season.

“I think he’s one of those guys everybody on our team has great respect for the way he performs the way he plays,” Sutton said. “Those two guys [Sorensen and Berry] working together — I think it’s excellent.”