The Kansas City Chiefs could potentially lose defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to another head coaching opportunity in 2025, and the latest suitor will likely aggravate the KC community.
“The [Las Vegas] Raiders are requesting an interview with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for their head-coaching spot, per sources,” The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini reported on January 8.
On the same day, Spagnuolo also landed an HC interview request with the New York Jets — who have put together a very long list of candidates. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reported on the Jets’ interest, reminding fans that the Chiefs DC was once a two-time defensive coordinator and interim head coach with the New York Giants.
Needless to say, if Spagnuolo ever did leave Kansas City, most Chiefs fans would probably prefer that he ended up with a franchise like the Jets rather than a bitter division rival like the Raiders.
Potential Chiefs Successor at Defensive Coordinator Publicly Supports Steve Spagnuolo’s HC Bid
The Spagnuolo news prompted a bit of public support on January 8, and it was his potential successor that spoke out in his favor.
“Spags will create a winning culture unlike no other if he’s selected as a HC! 🙌🏾🙏🏾,” Chiefs’ defensive backs coach Dave Merritt posted on X. “I’ve been with him for 11yrs. I’ve witnessed it firsthand!”
Of course, it’s possible that Merritt could follow Spagnuolo to a new franchise as his defensive coordinator — considering how long they’ve stuck together — but the KC community made it clear that they’d prefer head coach Andy Reid promote the long-time positional coach into his vacant DC role.
“Hey Coach please say that you are staying if he does take [an] HC job,” one fan commented, “hope they award you the job for Chiefs, I know you are the right man if Spags moves on! 🙏”
Another agreed: “I’m only good with this if you take the DC job in KC.”
Arrowhead Pride lead analyst Ron Kopp Jr. also echoed this opinion, stating: “If we do lose Spags, my vote’s for Merritt to step into the DC role.”
It’ll be interesting to see how many staff members the Chiefs lose if a key figure like Spagnuolo or offensive coordinator Matt Nagy were to take an HC position elsewhere.
