Laddie Morse
The Kansas City Chiefs have had an offseason to forget. It all began right after a wonderful Super Bowl LVIII victory, when just a few days later at their parade and celebration, a shooter took the life of Lisa Lopez-Galvan (linked to her Families’ GoFundMe page, where they have raised over $406K). Then, “Amid Super Bowl success, Kansas City Chiefs rank poorly in NFL player report cards.” Yes, the Chiefs were able to re-sign their HoF bound DT, Chris Jones to a $158.75 M deal, but they also were forced to trade their star CB, L’Jarius Sneed for cap space, plus K.C. has had a host of other migraines that makes this offseason… make one want to blow chunks.
Also, the Chiefs were losers of the stadium tax issue at the ballot box on Tuesday, earlier this week, which mean they could be moving after the 2030 season. Moving where? The Dallas Mayor, Eric Johnson, wants the Chiefs to move back there, while Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has already made it clear she’s interested in the Chiefs moving to her state.
On top of that, the Chiefs burgeoning second year WR Rashee Rice has gone hair-brained, wrecking his Lamborghini (which he admitted he was driving) and Corvette. So, he’s in serious legal jeopardy (aside from the problems the Chiefs and the NFL have with him). In the midst of that tornado, K.C. signed WR Marquise Hollywood Brown to their roster, but I will say, the Chiefs may find out later that the loss of LB Willie Gay — who they allowed to walk in Free Agency — is a much bigger loss than originally expected.
If you said the Chiefs were having a string of bad luck this offseason, you’d be making an understatement.
Will the Chiefs Be Able Cope?
With Andy Reid entering his 12th year with the Chiefs and his 26th year straight as a Head Coach, you could say he’s seen it all, and lived to tell a tale another day (maybe a hamburger tale). That’s not to say he’s impervious to the slings and arrows of this world, just look at how he’s handled his son Britt’s situation and you can see he’s been a wounded warrior.
Reid has a way of not over-reacting. He passes that ability on to his General Manager too. Brett Veach is cool, calm, and collected when it comes to urgent situations. Example: when Tyreek Hill was facing his legal issues in the Spring of 2019, Veach drafted speedster Mecole Hardman, yes, the same Mecole Hardman who just caught the game winner over the 49ers to seal a victory in that game.
Here’s Dave Toub dealing with the 49ers kicking practice issue before the Super Bowl:
Steve Spagnuolo is another peace maker. He’s been considered for several coaching positions since he’s had such success in K.C.. With many pundits criticizing the Chiefs, Spags has stayed consistent and in the 2023 season they finished second in total defense by Fox Sports. Many fans may be unaware that Spags has been on the winning end of F-O-U-R Super Bowls — XLII, LIV, LVII, and LVIII (15:40).
Coaching Wins the Day
Joe Cullen is the Chiefs defensive line coach and if you haven’t heard, Chris Jones loves this man (0:41).
The feeling is mutual between Joe Cullen and Chris Jones. This was last August and if you recall, CJ was missing all of Training Camp due to his holdout.
Coaching Makes the Difference
The answer to the problems the Chiefs have had this offseason is leadership. K.C. has one of the best, if not the very best, coaching units in the NFL and it all begins with Andy Reid. Do I think Steve Spagnuolo would make a great Head Coach? No doubt. My only hope is that he won’t take too many coaches with him when he goes… which I think will be for the 2025 season. Here are 8 of my favorite coaches.
The Chiefs have 29 total coaches — besides Andy Reid — listed so the above list only shows 8 and that leaves 21 I’ve not shown. However, these men are all leaders who make up a fantastic group of coaches. Super Bowl winning coaches! They will make all the difference.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne