KC Chiefs Sign Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to Contract Extension
The Kansas City Chiefs are celebrating their Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, but there's also another reason for the team to be thrilled.
Per a Wednesday morning announcement on X directly from the Chiefs, Kansas City has signed defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to a contract extension.
To say Spagnuolo played a big role in the team's success this season would somehow still be an understatement. The veteran coordinator led a unit that ranked at or near the tops in the NFL during the regular season and playoffs, ultimately helping the team prevail on the biggest stage. Under Spagnuolo, this year's Kansas City defense ranked second in points and yards allowed while also dominating in EPA per play, success rate, pressures, sacks and more.
Having just wrapped up his fifth season with the Chiefs, Spagnuolo has turned around a unit that held the franchise back right before he entered the fold. With superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm, Kansas City has a defense to match that talent. Thanks to Spagnuolo, this season's defensive rankings were among the Chiefs' best in several decades.
During Opening Night for Super Bowl LVIII week, defensive tackle Chris Jones weighed in on Spagnuolo not being considered for open head coaching jobs during the recent hiring cycle:
"Yeah, it was very surprising that literally he wasn't interviewed for any head coaching vacancies," Jones said. "I think he still is not getting the respect he deserves around this league with the success he's had, not only as a defensive coordinator. You look at his resume, he's the only defensive coordinator to win two Super Bowls with two different teams. As long as we keep him, we'll continue winning, man."
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Spagnuolo "was a free agent heading into this offseason." With that in mind, the Chiefs expressed "urgency" to get a new contract ironed out and did just that.
Despite the lack of perceived interest in Spagnuolo as a head coach, the Chiefs are more than happy to keep him around long-term. Him (and, reportedly, defensive line coach Joe Cullen), signing an extension helps ensure that one of the youngest defenses in the league can continue to thrive for years to come. As Kansas City attempts to three-peat, having a coach like Spagnuolo assisting in leading the way is a massive plus.
