Former Chiefs player emerges as perfect replacement option for Steve Spagnuolo

The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for their crucial AFC game to keep their winning streak alive. As the only undefeated team in the league, the Chiefs will look to maintain their perfect record against their toughest opponent yet.

As the Chiefs look ahead to a potentially historic three-peat run, they must also consider the future of the franchise. One potential challenge the Chiefs could face this offseason is a reshuffle of their coaching staff.

Steve Spagnuolo, the architect of the elite Chiefs’ defense over the years, could be getting attention in the coaching market, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

“Maybe teams will look at Dan Quinn’s early success with the Washington Commanders and think Spagnuolo could be a similar example as a two-time head coach who would inject a professional mentality into the building.”

– Jeff Howe, the track and field

Spags will be 65 and has not been a full-time head coach since 2011. He hasn’t even gotten an interview since 2017, so he may not be interested in a head coaching job this late in his career.

If he is indeed poached by another team, the Chiefs have the ideal replacement available.

Mike Vrabel, who finished his Pro Bowl career in Kansas City, could return to the Chiefs as defensive coordinator. After coaching the Tennessee Titans for six seasons and leading them to three consecutive postseason appearances, Vrabel was fired at the end of the 2023 season.

He was surprisingly unable to land a coordinator or head coaching job this offseason, instead signing with the Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant. Vrabel previously spent one season as the defensive coordinator for the Texans before being hired at Tennessee. Considering he almost certainly won’t stay in Cleveland beyond this season, the Chiefs should seriously consider adding him to the coaching staff.

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