What’s Gone Wrong with the Chiefs’ Defense? Steve Spagnuolo Knows It Starts on Third Down
For years, the Kansas City Chiefs have been the team that finds a way to win the close ones. Last season, they were perfect in one-score games - the kind of stat that usually signals a team with elite coaching, execution, and resilience.
But this year, the script has flipped. Every loss the Chiefs have taken in 2025 has come by just one possession.
And while the offense has had its ups and downs, the real concern is what’s happening - or not happening - on the defensive side of the ball.
The Chiefs’ defense, once a hallmark of clutch play under longtime coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, has struggled to get off the field when it matters most. The issues have been most glaring on third down, and Spagnuolo isn’t dodging the blame.
“We weren't very good on third down, and I take the full blame for that,” Spagnuolo said after the Week 13 loss to Dallas. “You can't be like that on third down and expect to win.”
It was a rough outing for the defense against the Cowboys, who converted 9 of 16 third-down attempts and added a key fourth-down conversion to seal the win. Kansas City never got the ball back after falling behind 31-28 - a crushing way to lose, especially for a team that’s built its identity around big stops in big moments.
A Far Cry from the Past
This isn’t the Spagnuolo defense fans are used to seeing. From 2022 to 2024, Kansas City’s defense was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, especially when blitzing. They were among the league’s best in yards per play allowed when bringing pressure, ranked second in pressure rate, and sat comfortably in the top three in sack rate.
Fast forward to 2025, and those numbers have fallen off a cliff. According to ESPN’s Mina Kimes, the Chiefs now rank second-worst in yards per play allowed when blitzing.
Their pressure rate? 28th.
Sack rate? 31st.
That’s not just a regression - it’s a collapse.
And it’s not like the Chiefs haven’t invested in their pass rush. George Karlaftis was handed a four-year, $93 million extension.
Chris Jones got a five-year deal worth nearly $160 million. These aren’t depth pieces - they’re cornerstone players.
But so far this season, the return on that investment hasn’t matched the price tag.
Spags Searching for Answers
Spagnuolo knows the issues aren’t just about missed tackles or blown coverages. It’s about execution, play-calling, and situational awareness - especially on third-and-long, where the Chiefs used to thrive.
“There's obvious ones that we think about... It's either not a good call, or they make a good play, or somebody is not in the right position,” Spagnuolo said. “Third down overall needs to be better in my opinion.”
That might sound like coach-speak, but it’s also the reality. The margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin, and when you’re not getting home on the blitz or locking down in coverage, even a third-and-12 can feel like a coin flip.
Running Out of Wiggle Room
Yes, the Chiefs have had some tough breaks this season - a tipped pass here, a missed call there - but the NFL doesn’t hand out sympathy points. You are what your record says you are. And right now, Kansas City is a team that can’t close.
That’s unfamiliar territory for a franchise that’s built its dynasty on poise under pressure. If the Chiefs want to make another deep postseason run, they’ll need Spagnuolo’s defense to rediscover its identity - and fast. Because in a loaded AFC, there’s no room for a defense that can’t get off the field when the game is on the line.