Kansas City Chiefs Fire DC Steve Spagnuolo Immediately After Crushing Loss to Eagles

September 15, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time making changes after a painful Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Moments after the final whistle, the team officially announced the dismissal of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

The decision came just minutes after the Chiefs’ defense surrendered 20 points, including a disappointing fourth quarter, in a 20–17 defeat. Although the offense led by Patrick Mahomes battled to keep pace, the defense’s collapse against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles sealed the loss.

This wasn’t the first red flag. Back in Week 1, Kansas City’s defense had already cracked in a 27–20 loss to the Chargers. The unit gave up 27 points, allowed the Chargers to run effectively, and saw its secondary get tormented by

In his eighth season with Kansas City, Spagnuolo faced heavy criticism for failing to contain the Eagles’ run game—particularly the controversial “tush push.” Fans voiced their outrage on social media, with many calling for his firing even before the game ended.

Head coach Andy Reid explained the move, saying the team needed a new voice on defense. “We have talent on the back end, but the execution hasn’t been good enough. At this level, results matter. We have to move forward quickly.”

The Chiefs entered the season optimistic about their defense, but back-to-back breakdowns against the Chargers and Eagles erased whatever confidence remained in Spagnuolo’s leadership.

Assistant defensive backs coach Dave Merritt is expected to take over as int as the Chiefs prepare for a tough Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets.

For Chiefs fans, the move is a clear sign that leadership heard their frustration. For the players, it’s a reminder that patience runs thin when expectations aren’t met.