Already, the Kansas City Chiefs' defense has been under incredible pressure in recent seasons. There is a lofty expectation that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will simply find a way to keep things close, allowing quarterback Patrick Mahomes a chance to work his magic. However, this season Spagnuolo has been doing the heavy lifting without the offense doing its part, creating speculation that the coordinator could be on his way out before Sunday's season-ending injury to Mahomes.
The star quarterback suffered a torn ACL that not only altered this season but appears to greatly change the team's trajectory for the 2026 season. With this in mind, it seems probable that the chances of Spagnuolo's departure just lept in the wrong direction. Coming back to what feels like a sinking ship isn't going to be all that enticing for a coordinator who is deservingly going to get head coach attention.
Steve Spagnuolo Could Exit Chiefs After Patrick Mahomes' ACL Tear
Spagnuolo has more than proven himself as an elite coordinator throughout his career, but he's accomplished all he can in that role. Losing Mahomes and facing the possibility of a Travis Kelce retirement, the job is getting increasingly harder. Add in the fact that Chris Jones appears to be declining since getting paid, and the lack of defensive depth across the board, and it is easy to argue Spagnuolo should jump at any head coaching opportunity.
It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs choose to navigate an offseason that will now focus on the rehab and potential return of Mahomes. There is every reason to view this as a chance to reset for a franchise that was failing long before losing its leader. Losing Spagnuolo is obviously heartbreaking, but Kansas City fans can't help but understand why it is a possibility — especially if he doesn't want to be a part of a rebuild or even a re-tooling.
The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants will both be looking for new head coaches this offseason, and one has to imagine Spagnuolo's name will be near the top of both lists. That's without considering the other jobs that will open once more catches are fired after Week 18 and beyond.
For the Chiefs, the front office must do everything in its power to lock up Spagnuolo, being willing to hand out an unreasonable raise if it keeps the coach in the building. As much of an uphill battle as that is likely to be, you cannot afford to lose the most consistent 2025 coach on Reid's staff.
Spagnuolo's defense has given the Chiefs a chance each and every week, and it's safe to say the season would be in a much worse spot if it weren't for him. Being without him and Mahomes in 2026 would surely be a recipe for a tough 17 games to watch next season.
Only time will tell if the Chiefs can do anything to keep Spagnuolo in town between now and when the 2026 coach hiring cycle begins. But as of now, it won't be a shock if the 65-year-old DC will get his first chance to lead a team since he was the interim Giants HC in 2017.