KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Steve Spagnuolo might not be the only defensive coach Andy Reid will need to replace this offseason, as another key member of the Chiefs’ defensive staff explores opportunities elsewhere, potentially shaking up Kansas City’s defensive front.
Just one day after Spagnuolo interviewed for the Titans’ head coaching position, Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen reportedly interviewed with Washington on Friday, vying for their defensive coordinator role after Dan Quinn’s recent firing, signaling that change could be coming to the Chiefs’ defense.
Cullen, 58, is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s premier defensive-front specialists, with a career spanning decades and multiple franchises, including Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Detroit, where he helped shape top-tier defenses both against the run and in pass-rushing situations.
During the disastrous 2021 season under Urban Meyer, Cullen served as Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator, a challenging assignment that highlighted his ability to teach fundamentals and maximize talent despite organizational instability and adverse circumstances.
He joined Spagnuolo and the Chiefs in 2022 and immediately made an impact, helping Kansas City reach three consecutive Super Bowls, reinforcing his reputation as a coach capable of transforming defensive lines and instilling discipline and technique at the highest level.
Under Cullen’s guidance, All-Pro Chris Jones has flourished, recording 26 combined sacks in his first two seasons with Kansas City, including seven in 2025 alone, establishing himself among the NFL’s elite defensive tackles since Cullen’s arrival.
Beyond Jones, Cullen has been instrumental in developing younger players like George Karlaftis, who entered the league in 2022 under Cullen’s mentorship and has since accumulated 30½ career sacks, earning a four-year, $93 million extension prior to the 2025 season.
The potential departure of Cullen could be felt most acutely among the Chiefs’ younger defensive linemen, particularly first-round draft picks Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte, both of whom have benefited significantly from his coaching, especially Norman-Lott before his season-ending knee injury in Week 7.
“Yeah, so we had a pretty good thing going before our young guy got banged up in there,” Andy Reid said Monday, referencing Norman-Lott, “as far as him coming on and being able to rush the passer. He gave us a little flexibility in there.”
Reid emphasized the importance of continued growth among young players, noting that both lines must remain strong and adaptable, signaling that even with Cullen’s potential exit, Kansas City intends to prioritize defensive line development heading into 2026.
In addition to mentoring individual players, Cullen has been key in managing the Chiefs’ run defense, with Spagnuolo delegating the run-game responsibilities to him. In 2025, Kansas City allowed just two 100-yard rushers all season, tying for eighth in the NFL.
Overall, the Chiefs ranked ninth in the league, allowing 105.7 rushing yards per game, demonstrating Cullen’s consistent ability to coordinate defensive line schemes that maintain discipline, gap integrity, and efficiency against both power-running and zone schemes.
Cullen’s reputation in the NFL is built not just on results but on the respect he commands among players and coaches alike, making him a coveted figure for teams seeking to revitalize their defensive front with experience, innovation, and technical expertise.
The loss of Cullen would not only impact production but could slow the development of Kansas City’s next generation of defensive linemen, challenging the Chiefs to find a replacement capable of both coaching technique and integrating seamlessly with Spagnuolo’s overall defensive philosophy.
Chiefs Kingdom will be watching closely during the offseason, as Cullen’s decisions, along with other potential coaching staff changes, will shape the defensive identity of Kansas City heading into 2026 and influence how opposing teams plan against their front seven.
For fans, the stakes are clear: maintaining dominance in the trenches is critical to sustaining playoff success, and Cullen’s potential departure underscores how essential coaching continuity is to keeping the Chiefs’ defense among the league’s elite.
Whether the Chiefs can retain Cullen or find an equally impactful replacement will have a ripple effect across defensive line performance, red-zone stops, and pass-rush efficiency, making the offseason a high-stakes period for Andy Reid and Kansas City’s defensive staff.
With Cullen’s reputation, coaching experience, and track record of producing elite defensive linemen, Chiefs leadership will have a difficult decision to make: retain a cornerstone of their front seven or risk losing a transformational coach to another franchise.
For now, Chiefs Kingdom must brace for uncertainty, knowing that every personnel and coaching decision could either reinforce the team’s championship trajectory or introduce challenges that will test depth, coaching ingenuity, and defensive resilience in 2026.
