The Kansas City Chiefs, over the past couple of seasons, have transitioned away from relying on fireworks on offense with Patrick Mahomes to leaning on their defense.
No longer do the Chiefs regularly score 30+ points and blow teams out; instead, Spagnuolo's defense holds teams to roughly 20 points per game, and the offense does just enough to win.
Granted, two Super Bowl wins and making another appearance in three years show this is sustainable, but some want the Chiefs to revert to the swashbuckling offense they once had.
But we know that might not be the case, and defensively, as we look ahead to 2025, what would be the best-case scenario for Spagnuolo's defense?
"The Chiefs had a top-10 defense last season," Bleacher Report writes. "Chris Jones and George Karlaftis anchor a strong pass rush, Trent McDuffie is a star in the secondary, and the linebacker corps fits Spagnuolo's system to a tee. The best-case scenario would see the existing talent and familiarity be slightly better next season."
Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) and defensive end Frank Clark (55) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) pose for pictures as the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers winds down at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) and defensive end Frank Clark (55) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) pose for pictures as the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers winds down at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
© William Purnell-Imagn Images
Last year, the defense allowed only 19.2 points per game (ranked fourth), 101.8 rushing yards per game (ranked 25th), and a third-down conversion on 43 percent of attempts (ranked 24th), so there is plenty to work with.
Plus, the Chiefs' defense, much like Mahomes, has a knack for making a play when the team needs it, whether that be a sack, a PBU, or a forced fumble.
If the defense can at least replicate its efforts from last season, and the offense, with a host of weapons returning, can improve, this Chiefs team will be in good shape come playoff time.
But let's make it clear, the Chiefs aren't driven by Mahomes anymore - it's the defense that sets the tone.