San Francisco 49ers Reportedly Tried to Pry Steve Spagnuolo From KC Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers are less than a month removed from their epic clash in Super Bowl LVIII. In the weeks following that thrilling game, both teams have been tied to each other for more reasons than one.
Last week, it was San Francisco's interest in Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt that made headlines. On Wednesday, it was reported that the 49ers interviewed the standout coach for their previously open defensive coordinator vacancy. The organization has since moved on, although Merritt may not have been the only Kansas City staff member who drew interest from Kyle Shanahan and company.
According to a weekend report for The Athletic by Dianna Russini, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's name was also floated around. The 49ers "were trying to land him," but that bid was unsuccessful. Spagnuolo, who entered the offseason as a free agent, is back in Kansas City on a contract extension with a sizable raise. San Francisco moved on to hiring Nick Sorensen as an internal candidate in the post-Steve Wilks era. Here's more from Russini:
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has received a huge amount of praise for his coaching performances that helped the Chiefs win another title. Though he recently signed a new contract to stay with the Chiefs, the 49ers were trying to land him, according to a league source. The 49ers are planning to promote Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator after parting ways with Steve Wilks and the team is expected to hire former Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley as assistant head coach, league sources confirmed. ESPN first reported the news of those moves.
It's entirely reasonable to see the 49ers having an interest in a premier defensive mind. Spagnuolo's excellence this past season helped the Chiefs field one of the best defenses in the league, if not the best one. While he didn't receive any contacts for head coaching interviews during the recent hiring cycle, that was in no way a slight on how he's viewed as a coach. San Francisco discussing pursuing him, as crazy as it sounds, is a testament to how good he is.
Then again, it would've been a massive shock to see Spagnuolo leave for another team this offseason in a lateral capacity. Taking the same role, moving across the country and leaving behind the stability he's helped construct in Kansas City is mostly unfathomable. Spagnuolo loves working on Andy Reid's staff, and the team is remarkably fond of him at both a player and organizational level.
That, combined with the aforementioned raise on the new deal, made this nothing short of a pipe dream for San Francisco. At this stage of his career, Spagnuolo is one of the most successful defensive coordinators ever and has his time in Kansas City to thank for part of that. Starting something new, unless it's as a head coach, makes no sense. Nevertheless, reports of the 49ers' attempt or interest can serve as a friendly reminder that teams leave very few stones unturned during the offseason.
