The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of work to do and need some help in the last month of the season if they want to make the playoffs. Sitting at 6-6 going into Week 14 is less than ideal. Although they are on the outside looking in on the playoffs, they still have a chance to make the postseason.
The same can't be said about several other teams, who have turned their attention to the offseason and the 2026 campaign. Teams have started scouting potential head coaching candidates they would be interested in, and the names that were floated didn't include Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini released an article on Saturday, and in that piece, she dropped a couple of names that should garner interest.
She wrote, "Expect these assistant coaches to garner serious looks in the upcoming coaching cycle: Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, 49ers DC Robert Saleh, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, Rams DC Chris Shula, Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Bills OC Joe Brady and Jags DC Anthony Campanile."
Nagy's name was floated, but since Spags wasn't, it doesn't sound like he'll be a serious contender to become a head coach in 2026 based on the early reports.
Steve Spagnuolo’s Name Wasn’t Included Among HC Candidates
The NFL landscape is shifting towards the offensive side of the ball; there is little question about that. The defensive coaches who are getting opportunities are typically younger or haven't received the chance to be a head coach, but show the signs of being a good leader, like Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets.
That's why guys like Saleh, Shula, Hafley, and Campanile are getting interest. Even though Spags has found plenty of success with the Chiefs, which includes four Super Bowl titles, the days of him being an NFL head coach are probably over.
Spagnuolo is set to turn 66 years old in December, which would make him one of the oldest head coaches in the league. Pete Carroll, 74, is the oldest coach in the league right now with the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by Andy Reid, 67.
And based on how the season has gone with the Raiders, Carroll could be one and done. It doesn't work in Spags' favor that the last time he was a full-time head coach was in 2011 with the St. Louis Rams. He also held the interim title in 2017 with the New York Giants, but since then, he's been the defensive coordinator for the Chiefs.
While things can certainly change, it appears Spags won't get poached by anyone else. That's a welcome sight, as Nagy garnered attention and could be elsewhere in 2026. Regardless, the Chiefs will be forced to make adjustments to the roster this offseason, but it's looking more likely that they won't have to find a new defensive coordinator.