Chiefs Urged to ‘Steal’ Top DC to Replace Steve Spagnuolo Amid Defensive Struggles

Kansas City, Missouri – December 17, 2025
For much of the past decade, the Kansas City Chiefs have been defined by stability — especially on defense, where Steve Spagnuolo has served as the architect behind three Super Bowl championships since arriving in 2019. But as the 2025 season spirals toward an uncertain finish, a once-unthinkable conversation is beginning to surface around the league: Is it time for a defensive reset in Kansas City?

The warning signs have been building all season. While the Chiefs’ defense was once viewed as elite, the unit has slipped into the middle tier of the NFL, ranking roughly 15th–18th by Pro Football Focus and yards per play. Explosive plays have crept back in, late-game stops have become inconsistent, and turnovers — once a calling card of Spagnuolo’s scheme — have dried up at critical moments.

That regression was on full display in Week 15’s 16–13 loss to the Chargers, a game Kansas City desperately needed. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined, the margin for error was slim. The defense failed to tilt the field, failed to steal possessions, and ultimately failed to protect a fragile lead. As the Chiefs’ playoff odds hover around 20–30 percent, the pressure has shifted from injuries to accountability.

Spagnuolo’s résumé remains untouchable in franchise history, but even legends aren’t immune to scrutiny when results slide. Around the league, analysts and fans alike have begun asking uncomfortable questions: Has the scheme grown stale? Has the defense lost its trademark aggression? With a talented core that includes Chris Jones, Trent McDuffie, and Nick Bolton, the lack of consistency has fueled the belief that the problem may be structural rather than personnel-based.

That’s where Jim Schwartz enters the conversation.

Despite Cleveland’s disastrous 3–11 record, Schwartz has quietly built one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive units. The Browns currently rank No. 2 overall by PFF, continuing a trend that saw them finish top-eight in recent seasons — all while being handicapped by one of the league’s weakest offenses. Around the NFL, Schwartz is widely regarded as one of the premier defensive minds of his generation.

League observers have described the idea of Kansas City “stealing” Schwartz from Cleveland as a potential home-run move. His philosophy — physical, aggressive, press-man coverage paired with simulated pressures — aligns perfectly with the Chiefs’ personnel. Perhaps most notably, Chris Jones could thrive even further in Schwartz’s system, which prioritizes winning with four and maximizing interior disruption.

There’s also a familiar connection. Schwartz previously worked under Andy Reid in Philadelphia from 2009 to 2012, a relationship that could ease any potential transition. If Cleveland undergoes a full coaching reset after a second straight 3–14 finish, Schwartz may be open to a move — and Kansas City would instantly become one of the league’s most attractive destinations.

If the Chiefs choose to explore alternatives beyond Schwartz, other high-profile candidates loom. Dennard Wilson of the Ravens, whose defense has flirted with the league’s top ranking, and Jesse Minter of the Chargers, one of the NFL’s fastest-rising young coordinators, would both command serious interest.

For now, Steve Spagnuolo remains a respected pillar of the Chiefs’ dynasty. But if Kansas City misses the postseason for the first time in the Mahomes era — even under the shadow of injury — the offseason conversation will be unavoidable.

In a franchise built on relentless evolution, sentiment alone may no longer be enough. And if change does come, many around the league believe Jim Schwartz could be the bold, aggressive answer Kansas City has been missing.