Underappreciated Chiefs Figure Called ‘Backbone’ of KC Super Bowl Runs

When NFL fans talk about the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent reign of terror, they usually talk about quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, or even defensive lineman Chris Jones or superstar tight end Travis Kelce. Long-time defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is rarely front and center during moments of praise, but that could be changing ahead of the 2025 season.

Within a document shared with Heavy, Pro Football Network ranked Spagnuolo as the second-best defensive coordinator for the entire NFL. He was also ranked No. 1 for all AFC D-coordinators.

“Steve Spagnuolo has quietly been the backbone of the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty,” the analysts at Pro Football Network wrote. “Since taking over as defensive coordinator in 2019, he’s helped guide the team to five Super Bowl appearances and three championships in just six seasons.”

Continuing: “The Chiefs have placed 14th in Defense+ in consecutive seasons, preventing them from staying at No. 1, like they were for us last year. That said, his philosophy of generating pressure with blitzes and exotic rush packages works. Kansas City has been inside the top five in fewest points per game allowed in consecutive years.”

Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo Doesn’t Get Enough Credit

When Spagnuolo first took the DC job in KC, he was often public enemy number one. In all fairness to the fans, it did take “Spags” a few years to implement his system and work with the front office to bring in the right players, but once things started to click, the defensive turnaround was not far behind.

In recent seasons, most Chiefs supporters would probably acknowledge that Spagnuolo’s unit has carried the team more often than not. With players like Jones, Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, and Nick Bolton (among others) developing into irreplaceable cogs of this perennial championship contender.

And as Pro Football Network noted, the results speak for themselves.

Heading into the 2025 training camp, the Chiefs appear to be more balanced than they’ve been in a while. The defense, headed by Spagnuolo, Jones, McDuffie, Bolton and Karlaftis, hasn’t lost too many key pieces outside of Justin Reid and Tershawn Wharton — and both were replaced by recent draft picks.

On the opposite side of the football, the offense still has questions on the offensive line, but Mahomes’ complement of skill position players is fully healthy and quite possibly the deepest it’s been since the Tyreek Hill trade.

Kansas City always has a difficult schedule and challenging path back to the Super Bowl, but this could be their most well-rounded roster in years. And with Reid and Spagnuolo at the helm, who’s to say they won’t be hoisting another Lombardi Trophy in February?

Eagles DC Vic Fangio Lands No. 1 Defensive Coordinator Ranking Over Spags

If you’re wondering who ranked No. 1 in Pro Football Network’s defensive coordinator rankings, it was Philadelphia Eagles DC Vic Fangio. Based on the Super Bowl alone, it’s hard to argue with this assertion.

“The turnaround that Vic Fangio spearheaded as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles last season was remarkable,” PFSN reasoned. “After finishing 30th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric in 2023, Fangio turned them around to the second-best ranking in 2024.”

“The Eagles finished second with just 17.8 points per game allowed last year, dominating with the second-lowest blitz rate in the league,” the NFL site went on. “Their talented defensive line is complemented by a strong secondary, which Fangio effectively utilizes through disguised coverages. He’s a defensive mastermind who played a massive role in their Super Bowl victory.”

Like Spagnuolo, Fangio has a proven track record with a long history of success in this league. Similar to the Chiefs, the Eagles’ offense gets a lot of the credit for their Super Bowl victory last winter, but in all honesty, it was the defense that led the way on the biggest of stages.