Report: Steve Spagnuolo has emerged as favorite for Chiefs defensive coordinator

Less than 24 hours after the Kansas City Chiefs relieved Bob Sutton of his defensive coordinator duties, a favorite to replace him has emerged.

It’s former New York Giants defensive coordinator and head coach Steve Spagnuolo, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Spagnuolo served as a defensive assistant (1999-2000), defensive backs coach (2001-2003) and linebackers coach (2004-2006) under Andy Reid while he was the the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2012).

Reid admitted to offering Spagnuolo a role prior to his final year as Eagles head coach (2012), but Spagnuolo opted to take the Saints defensive coordinator instead.

As our own Craig Stout noted Tuesday night in his five candidates to watch, Spagnuolo primarily runs a 4-3 base, which would be a stark change from the Chiefs defense under the departed Sutton.

STOUT: Spagnuolo is an intriguing name, and a real possibility considering his Andy Reid ties. A Jim Johnson disciple, Spagnuolo was a defensive assistant, defensive backs coach and a linebackers coach under Johnson while Andy Reid was the head coach.

Primarily running a 4-3 base, Spagnuolo embraces Johnson’s blitz-heavy approach, especially coming from cornerbacks and safeties. He famously utilized smaller defensive linemen as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, manipulating fronts and keeping the offense off balance.

While recent success has eluded him — being let go after becoming the interim head coach for the Giants in 2017 — Spagnuolo does have ties to Reid, and is an established name in the NFL. If Reid wants to hands the reins to a more established coordinator, Spagnuolo could be the guy.

Be sure to check out Stout’s four other names to watch here.