The Chiefs’ defensive improvement has a first and last name: Steve Spagnuolo
LAS VEGAS — It is normal, and even logical, to think that any team with Patrick Mahomes as quarterback would be a genuine candidate for the title.
However, if we focus on this 2023-24 version of the Kansas City Chiefs, their legendary quarterback was not their main banner.
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“Our defense has carried us all season long,” Mahomes admitted. “Luckily, now we are finding our synchronicity in attack, and that makes us a complementary and dangerous team.”
The Chiefs defense has been one of the pleasant surprises of this season, and not because I didn’t think they had talent, but rather because I think not even the most optimistic person would have thought that they would finish second in points and yards allowed this season.
The architect of this phenomenal and underrated defense has a first and last name: Steve Spagnuolo.
A defensive coordinator who potentially has a date with history this Sunday.
He is already the only coordinator to win Super Bowls with different franchises (Giants and Chiefs), and if he wins on Sunday, he would become the first coordinator in history to win four Super Bowls.
Few people remember that the Chiefs defense was a disaster before Spagnuolo arrived in 2019.
The evolution was not easy, but it gave confidence to young players and today the results are visible.
“Spagnuolo deserves to be coordinator of the year,” defensive lineman Chris Jones emphasized. “The work he has done, and the evolution of our unit from year to year, is not very unprecedented.”
If the Chiefs win the Super Bowl on Sunday, Steve Spagnuolo would become the first defensive coordinator to win four Super Bowls. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
In the Conference Championship game against the Ravens, Spagnuolo drew a work of art. He limited the NFL’s best rushing attack to just 16 carries — six by running backs — and confused Lamar Jackson with disguised fronts all afternoon.
Since Week 14, including the playoffs, the Chiefs defense has allowed just four points per game to their opponents in the second halves.
“The more important the game is, the more Spagnuolo grows,” safety Justin Reid said.
After the win against Baltimore, the players were seen wearing t-shirts that said “In Spags we trust,” and the support and affection he has from his players is evident.
Spagnuolo is a humble human being, and that is possibly the main reason why he has not received other offers to become a head coach.
He didn’t do well in his only head coaching stint with the Rams from 2009 to 2011, but a lot of water has passed under the bridge, and one could argue that perhaps this Chiefs defense represents the best job he’s ever done. in his carrer.
And Spagnuolo was the Giants’ defensive coordinator when they ruined the Patriots’ undefeated season in 2007-08.
Of course, having arguably the best cornerback duo in the NFL, in L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie, whom he often leaves on an island, helps push the limits of schematic creativity.
“It’s the most fun defense I’ve ever played in,” Reid said. “It’s a dynamic unit, and I have no doubt that Spagnuolo is the best defensive coordinator in the league.”
It’s clear the Chiefs players want to make sure their defensive coordinator gets the credit he deserves, even if Spagnuolo doesn’t want the attention.
“I was honestly embarrassed when I saw the T-shirts with my face on them,” Spagnuolo explained. “The players had fun, and luckily we were able to win.”
The Chiefs will face a very talented San Francisco 49ers team in Super Bowl LVIII, and Kansas City will have the difficult challenge of limiting a unit that features Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk among others.
However, the Chiefs defense comes in with high confidence, and I don’t blame them judging by what has been their phenomenal season.
“Spagnuolo will have us ready, he’s a magician,” concluded defensive lineman George Karlaftis. “We have complete confidence in him.”
No wonder, considering that the Chiefs defense has been the backbone of the team all season.
2024-02-05 14:19:00
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