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The Kansas City Chiefs have fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, and the reactions are rolling in.
Initial announcement, 1:43 p.m. Arrowhead Time.
Bob Sutton relieved of Defensive Coordinator duties.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 22, 2019
➡️ https://t.co/MXPe566vxr pic.twitter.com/9C2WSpEqKk
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports there was player frustration with Sutton, 1:48 Arrowhead Time.
Over the course of the past few days, the #Chiefs have talked with players and coaches about defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, whose lack of adjustments has been a non-stop frustration. They moved on today, and a prime job is open.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2019
ESPN Adam Schefter reports that former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan is a name to watch, 1:51 p.m. Arrowhead Time.
Here’s a name to watch for the now vacant Chiefs’ DC job, per sources: former Jets and Bills’ HC and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan, who has been approached about other DC openings in recent seasons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2019
Soon-to-be free agent cornerback Steve Nelson tweets shortly after the Sutton firing, 2:09 p.m. Arrowhead Time.
— Steve Nelson (@Nelson_Island) January 22, 2019
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recalls the last time Reid had to hire a defensive coordinator in offseason, he promoted Juan Castillo (2011-12). In every other year in the NFL, Castillo has coached the offensive side of the football, 2:13 p.m. Arrowhead Time.
The last time Andy Reid had to hire a DC in the offseason before Sutton, he promoted Juan Castillo to the job, so this is going to be a very fascinating hire https://t.co/oZHl2HoQ3B
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 22, 2019
The Kansas City Star’s Chris Fickett reports that Sutton will not remain with the Chiefs in any capacity, 2:21 p.m. Arrowhead Time.
Chiefs confirm that Sutton will NOT remain on staff in another role
— Chris Fickett (@ChrisFickett) January 22, 2019
Former Chief and SB Nation’s own Geoff Schwartz thinks Sutton would have been gone regardless of whether or not the Chiefs won the AFC championship, 2:31 Arrowhead Time.
I don’t think this line “If Dee Ford hadn’t been offsides Bob Sutton still has a job”. What do you think the Rams would have done in two weeks?
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 22, 2019
Arrowhead Pride defensive film analyst Craig Stout reveals his list of defensive coordinator candidates, 2:52 p.m. Arrowhead Time. Article to come.
Article coming soon, but my 5 quick names I would call for Chiefs DC:
— Craig Stout (@barleyhop) January 22, 2019
Mike Smith, Chiefs OLB coach
Steve Spagnuolo, former Giants DC
Matt House, Kentucky DC
Brett Venables, Clemson DC
Kris Richard, Dallas Passing Game coordinator
I realize some are unrealistic, but that's mine.
FOX Sports’ Doug Gottlieb makes a decent point regarding CBS analyst Tony Romo, who predicted almost exactly what Tom Brady and the Patriots offense were doing in their AFC title win against the Chiefs.
Tony Romo got Bob Sutton fired. Romo was just doing his job, but he got him fired.
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) January 22, 2019