Sports

Chiefs’ Steve Spagnuolo Super Bowl 59 Strategy: Magic Up His Sleeve?

NEW ORLEANS –The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense isn’t just preparing for Super Bowl 59 with film sessions and practice drills-there’s also a secret ingredient: homemade Italian meatballs.

Every week, the players gather for a special meal prepared by Maria Spagnuolo, the wife of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Her homemade dishes, including an exclusive specialty for the defensive player of the week, have become a cherished tradition that strengthens the team’s bond.

“That’s pivotal for the success of the team,” said All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Indeed, a well-fed team is a well-motivated team. Safety Justin Reid is a fan of Maria’s banana pudding, while linebacker Leo Chenal admitted, “We pig out. And we appreciate it.”

A Tradition Rooted in Family and Football

The Spagnuolos have fed players for decades. Steve landed his first NFL coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles back in 1999 under Andy Reid. Between the intensity of professional football, this tradition provides a sense of camaraderie that can prove crucial in those high-pressure moments.

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. The Chiefs are chasing history as they aim to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. This season, Kansas City’s defense played a key role in their success, allowing the fourth-fewest points in the league and maintaining an NFL-record 17-game winning streak in one-possession contests.

A Defensive Mastermind at Work

Spagnuolo, 65, is one of the NFL’s best defensive minds for a long time. His game plan was vividly shown during the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills when he called a perfectly timed corner blitz on fourth down. The pressure forced Josh Allen into an errant throw that sealed Kansas City’s victory.

“He will mix it up,” said Jones. “We will blitz on first-and-10 or on third-and-short. You never know.”

Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes are like a chess game, full of unexpected moves that keep offenses guessing. Giants running back Saquon Barkley summed it up: “With Spags, you’ve always got to be ready to adjust.”

It’s a well-earned reputation. Even Super Bowl broadcaster Tom Brady—who faced Spagnuolo’s defenses multiple times—will likely reference him “dialing up a blitz” during the game. Spagnuolo, however, has a different perspective.

“I’m praying up a blitz,” he joked. “I’m not dialing up anything. I’m hoping they work.”

More often than not, they do.

Trust in Spags

One of the greatest strengths that Spagnuolo possesses is his ability to listen to his players. For example, Jones had suggested at times lining up on the edge, which has proven to be a very effective strategy. Reid credits his coach with refining his understanding of situational football.

Just before the AFC Championship Game last season, the defense had shirts made up that said “In Spags We Trust.” After they guaranteed a Super Bowl berth, they surprised Spagnuolo with the same shirts.

“They believe in him. That’s the biggest thing. They know when he speaks to them, it’s good stuff,” head coach Andy Reid said

He and Spagnuolo go back a long way, nearly 40 years, to the days when Reid was an offensive line coach at Texas-El Paso, first when Spagnuolo was a graduate assistant at UMass, which had a connection through their mutual friend Steve Teelander.

“He was a good teacher back then, too,” Reid remembered. “You could see that.

That teaching ability, combined with his leadership, is why Reid wanted Spagnuolo on his first Eagles staff. “He’s a unifier. He brings them together,” Reid said.

And with a little help from Maria, this defense is not just battle-tested—it’s well-fed and ready to make history.