Latest news with #SteveSpagnuolo
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce Make Chiefs Announcement on Tuesday
Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce Make Chiefs Announcement on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is nearing two seasons removed from his NFL retirement, his younger brother, Travis Kelce, is preparing for his 13th season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Advertisement The two had their fair share of battles during their careers, most recently in Super Bowl LVII when Travis and the Chiefs defeated Jason and the Eagles 38-35. In September 2022, when both brothers were still playing, Travis and Jason started their own podcast together called "New Heights," bringing in celebrity guests to speak in each episode. On Tuesday, the Kelce brothers revealed the latest guest for their podcast: Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. "Joining us today from Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Jason Kelce said. "He's been a football coach for over 40 years. Had nearly two dozen coaching roles in three countries. A four-time Super Bowl champion. The only NFL coordinator to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises. Tom Brady has called him the bane of my existence. And he is now entering his seventh year with the Chiefs as the most successful coordinator in franchise history. Please welcome Steve Spagnuolo." Spagnuolo has been with the Chiefs since 2019, winning four Super Bowls alongside Travis. Before that, he served in numerous positions for multiple different NFL teams. Advertisement NFL fans loved the Kelce brothers' next podcast guest, taking to social media to leave their thoughts. "Oh, this is GREAT!!!!! Hell yeah!" one fan said. "SPAGS!!! I am so pumped for this one. Thank you thank you for making it happen," added another. "FINALLY GOT SPAGS LFG," a third wrote. "This is gonna be AWESOME!! (I say this every week at this point)," commented a fourth. "spags omg YES!" posted a fifth. "In Spags We Trust," added a sixth. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (L) and his brother Jason J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Spagnuolo has helped Kansas City hold one of the league's more consistent defenses over the past few years. In 2024, his defense only allowed 19.2 points per game, good for fourth in the NFL. Advertisement The Chiefs will kick off the 2025 season on Friday, Sept. 5, facing the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. Related: Chiefs Turn Heads With Travis Kelce Message on Tuesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo says rookie DB 'had a tough day' at OTAs
Kansas City Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo says rookie DB 'had a tough day' at OTAs The Kansas City Chiefs are back at work for OTAs, and rookies continue to integrate into the team's game plans. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke with reporters on Wednesday, revealing a tough outing for rookie defensive back Nohl Williams. "Nohl (Williams) had a tough day today. (It's) Just a couple things that stick out, but what I really like about him is (that) he's a student of football," said Spagnuolo, "You know, coming from Cal – that Cal (team) had really good players on that team, they had a lot of them. I thought, for the most part, when we Zoom called or interviewed guys, I thought they were really sharp football-wise, so it begins there with all the things we do. We'll find out a little bit more about him when we get pads on, and we can go live, but he's done a pretty solid job for us right now." Following a trade with the New England Patriots, the Chiefs selected Williams in the third round with the 85th pick in April's NFL draft. He is expected to be a key contributor in takeaways for Spsgnuolo's defense. After transferring from UNLV in 2023, Williams totaled 53 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. In 2024, Williams' seven interceptions from the previous year at California earned him First-Team All-ACC honors and made him a Consensus All-American.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs DB Jaden Hicks is being evaluated for a bigger role in 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Jaden Hicks in the 2024 NFL Draft, hoping he would eventually step into a prominent role in the secondary. The time could be now, after veteran safety Justin Reid's departure at the start of the offseason. A recent article by Bleacher Report's Matt Holder highlighted Hicks' potential impact on the upcoming season. Advertisement "Hicks didn't get much playing time during the first half of his rookie season a year ago," wrote Holder "but he came on strong down the stretch of the year. With Justin Reid out of the picture, the Washington State product will have a much bigger role in Kansas City this fall and could make a name for himself." Hicks finished his rookie season with 29 total tackles, three tackles for loss, along with five pass deflections and three interceptions. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has often used multiple players in the secondary in games, so Hicks will likely see more than just the one start he had last season. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs DB Jaden Hicks is being evaluated for a bigger role in 2025
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Urged To Sign 3-Time Pro Bowler As Final Puzzle Piece
The Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to atone for their Super Bowl loss in 2025, and during the offseason, the franchise has worked to fix several roster holes. Most of which they've done, but you can always add more talent, and for a team expected to again go deep in the playoffs, the more players who can contribute, the better. Advertisement With the offense seemingly set and the defense in good order under Steve Spagnuolo, any move now is about consolidating any position. And for Pro Football Focus, edge is a position of need, and there's one player the publication has in mind. "The Chiefs have been content to stay the course regarding their pass rush, but finding an upgrade on the edge would be a prudent move," Pro Football Focus writes. "Mike Danna isn't cutting it, having posted sub-60.0 PFF pass-rush grades in four of his five seasons as a pro. "Inserting a proven veteran option on the edge, such as Za'Darius Smith, would boost the unit. Across his past three seasons, Smith has generated a 90.1 PFF pass-rush grade, placing him in the 93rd percentile." Detroit Lions edge rusher Za'Darius SmithSergio Estrada-Imagn images Smith is an interesting option. Last season, despite being 32 years old, he was still productive with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. Advertisement A combined 9.0 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss, Smith was a disruptor on the edge. With the Chiefs having Danna, George Karlaftis, and Charles Omenihu, adding another veteran and one who is still very productive in Smith could be a nice addition to Spagnuolo's pass-rushing stocks. Because if there's one thing "Spags" loves, it's to send the house, and adding another Pro Bowl pass rusher for cheap might just be the shrewdest move of the offseason. Related: Chiefs Rookie Jalen Royals Already Predicted For Major Role Related: Travis Kelce Chiefs Teammate Voices Taylor Swift Opinion
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa discusses his communication skills at the NFL level
Kansas City Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa discusses his communication skills at the NFL level The Kansas City Chiefs selected Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa in the fifth round with the 156th pick in this year's NFL Draft, securing a versatile signal caller and occasional option in the secondary. On Sunday, he spoke with media members at rookie camp, sharing his thoughts on learning defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's game plan and communication skills in his role. "So far, I mean, everybody knows that (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spags' defense is really complex, but coming into rookie minicamp, you obviously want to get a head start on that, right?" said Bassa, "I feel the opportunity to come out here for rookie minicamp, learn the defense, (and) kind of go through the first couple (of) installs has been really good for me. Overall, I feel like I'm catching on pretty well. Honestly, right now I feel like I'm at a good stage where I can keep going back and looking at the notes and looking at the film and say, 'Okay, I was supposed to do this instead of this,' right? So, just catching on slowly day by day." During the 2024 season, Bassa was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference with the Ducks and played in all 14 games, starting in 12. He finished with 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. "I think it (communication) tremendously drives my game. A guy who was responsible for doing all of that at Oregon, I feel like that translates here as well, especially under (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spag's defense." said Bassa, "You have to be a linebacker that can communicate, make sure your defensive line's set as well as making sure the DB's are on the same page as everybody else, right? I took a lot of pride in that at Oregon, so for me to have the same role, kind of heading into a defense where there's a lot of communication, I feel like that's the perfect situation for me. I just have to keep getting better at making sure everybody's right (and) making sure I'm always one step ahead of the game." Being a former safety, Bassa could make him an essential defensive utility player who can step into several roles for Spagnuolo's schemes. The veteran coordinator is known for utilizing multiple players in various roles throughout a game and season.
