Chiefs rally around Steve Spagnuolo: glue to this whole thing

NEW ORLEANS — This Super Bowl will have stars all over the field.From Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, the game has plenty of star power.But a key figure in Sunday’s game may end up being a 65-year-old from Whitinsville, Mass., who won’t throw a pass or make a tackle.

Steve Spagnuolo is back on the Super Bowl stage, something very familiar for the Chiefs defensive coordinator.“Spags,” as he is known around the NFL, is seeking his fifth Super Bowl title after winning one with the Giants and three with the Chiefs.His mission Sunday is to slow down Hurts, Barkley and the high-powered Philly offense.

If he’s successful, there’s a good chance the Chiefs will be champions again.“Spags is everything,” Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie said.“He’s the glue to this whole thing … we’re playing for coach Spags.”Spagnuolo joined the Chiefs in 2019 after a second stint with the Giants ended with him as the interim coach in 2017 following Ben McAdoo’s firing.

When he came aboard, Mahomes was just getting started and they won a Super Bowl in their first year together.During those first few years, the Chiefs offense led the way.

But now it is Spagnulo’s defense that is a big reason the Chiefs are going for a three-peat.Mahomes put up career lows in passing yards and passing touchdowns, but Spagnuolo’s defense was a steady force.The Chiefs allowed 20 points or fewer in 12 of their 17 regular-season games in 2024.

They won all 12 of those games, and eight of them were decided by one score.“He’s done a great job with the guys,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.“I think the thing I appreciate most is the trust the players have in him.

That means that you’re doing a whole lot of things right.These guys, you’re not able to pull the wool over their eyes, and not for as long as he’s been doing it.

They trust his scheme.He’s a good teacher.

They trust him as a person, and they know he’s going to try his ...