Chiefs hire Steve Spagnuolo to run the defense

Andy Reid is putting his faith in Steve Spagnuolo.

The Kansas City Chiefs fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton after the team’s 37-31 overtime loss in the AFC championship game to the New England Patriots. On Thursday, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported the team will hire Spagnuolo to be the team’s new defensive coordinator.

It’s not an overstatement that Reid’s best shot to finally win a Super Bowl might rest on whether Spagnuolo can transform the defense. The offense is perhaps the best in the league. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is going to win NFL MVP next week and the Chiefs have a window to build around him while he’s on his rookie contract, before he signs a massive extension.

If the defense improves, the Chiefs can finally win another Super Bowl. Spagnuolo has some experience building championship defenses.

Spagnuolo’s best work has come with the New York Giants. In 2007, his first season as Giants defensive coordinator, his unit was crucial in a massive Super Bowl upset over the previously undefeated Patriots. The next season, the Giants ranked fifth in the NFL in yards and points allowed.

That was also the last time a Spagnuolo defense ranked better than 10th in yards allowed.

Fantasy Impact: 

Across 10 seasons, Spagnuolo's defenses have had an average ranking of 21.8 in yards allowed and 20.8 in points allowed.

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