‘Shame on US’: Steve Spagnuolo Gets Blunt About Chiefs’ Performance Before Week 1

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 2:34 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs’ second preseason game on August 15 ended in a 33-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

Kansas City entered the game 0-1 after a 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 of the preseason, again resting most starters, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

While preseason games generally carry little weight, this contest, in particular, drew pointed postgame remarks from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Speaking to reporters, Spagnuolo acknowledged that Seattle "came out with the intent to prove it against the Chiefs" and admitted, "I’m not sure we were ready for that. Shame on us. But I think we’ll be ready to play good football this week," as relayed by Charles Goldman of the "Chiefs Wire" on Tuesday.

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo was not pleased with the defensive performance in preseason Week 2: "It just felt like they came out with the intent to prove it against the Chiefs. I'm not sure we were ready for that. Shame on us. But I think we'll be ready to play good football this…
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) August 19, 2025

When Spagnuolo Speaks, Everybody Listens

With over four decades of coaching experience, including the last 20+ years working in the NFL, Spagnuolo’s voice carries a lot of weight in the locker room.

Now in his seventh season as Kansas City’s defensive coordinator, he has:

Four Super Bowl titles as a defensive coordinator - XLII with the New York Giants, LIV, LVII, and LVIII with the Chiefs.
Historic defensive performances - Architect of the Giants’ upset of the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, sacking Tom Brady five times; led the 2023 Chiefs defense that ranked second in points allowed (17.3) and yards allowed (289.8).
Unique distinction - Only coordinator in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises and the only one to win four in that role.
Track record in Kansas City - Since joining in 2019, the Chiefs have reached four Super Bowls in five seasons, winning three. His units have consistently ranked among the league’s best in sacks, red-zone defense and limiting explosive plays.

Given his track record, Spagnuolo’s comments are less about panic and more about setting a standard and building good habits before the start of the regular season.

Kansas City closes the preseason at home against the Chicago Bears on August 22 before its regular season opener versus the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday, Sept. 5, in São Paulo, Brazil.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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