Chiefs Steve Spagnuolo on Building an Elite Defense, Bribing Andy Reid & Battling Brady | EP 143

Summary

Podcast Summary: New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce – EP 143

Title: Chiefs Steve Spagnuolo on Building an Elite Defense, Bribing Andy Reid & Battling Brady
Host/Author: Wondery
Release Date: June 11, 2025

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Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 143 of New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce, the Kelce brothers sit down with Kansas City Chiefs' Defensive Coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo. With over 40 years of coaching experience, Spagnuolo brings invaluable insights into building an elite NFL defense, his enduring relationship with head coach Andy Reid, and legendary battles against formidable opponents like Tom Brady.

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Building an Elite Defense

Steve Spagnuolo delves deep into the intricacies of constructing a top-tier defensive unit. Highlighting his tenure with the Chiefs, Spagnuolo emphasizes the importance of player intelligence and versatility.

"If you don't have that, there are. They could never have enough corners." [08:54]

He underscores that having players who "understand the game of football" is paramount, allowing the defense to adapt and execute complex schemes effectively.

Key Strategies and Player Development

Spagnuolo discusses specific strategies employed by the Chiefs, such as overload pressures and utilizing versatile linebackers like Nick Bolton. He credits the success of the defense to both tactical ingenuity and the exceptional caliber of his players.

"We cannot get enough corners. So we drafted those three defensive guys on Saturday, right?" [08:55]

He also highlights the role of assistant coaches, particularly Jeff Stoutland, in maintaining cohesive team communication and strategy execution.

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Relationship with Andy Reid

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Spagnuolo's long-standing relationship with Andy Reid. Spagnuolo recounts their history, dating back to the late 80s, and how mutual respect and collaboration have been pivotal to their success.

"I owe that all to Andy Reid... the way Coach Reid has built this thing with the guys makes coming to work a joy every day." [10:00]

This partnership has not only fostered a winning culture but also ensured stability within the coaching staff, allowing the Chiefs to maintain consistency and excellence on defense.

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Battling Tom Brady and the New England Patriots

Reflecting on one of his career highlights, Spagnuolo reminisces about the 2007 Super Bowl clash against the undefeated New England Patriots. Despite facing Brady’s formidable offense, Spagnuolo’s defensive strategies kept the game competitive.

"We started game planning for that game... if we could hold them under 30 points, we might have a chance." [42:36]

He credits meticulous preparation and key defensive adjustments for their competitive performance, even though the Patriots ultimately triumphed.

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Coaching Philosophy and Adaptation

Spagnuolo shares his coaching philosophy, emphasizing adaptability and continuous learning. He discusses how evolving offensive schemes in the NFL, such as the rise of dual-threat quarterbacks, necessitate dynamic defensive responses.

"When you have a quarterback that's smart and intelligent, it's the toughest challenge." [68:10]

He also touches on the importance of maintaining a strong defensive front to counteract versatile offenses, highlighting how the Chiefs have successfully navigated modern NFL trends.

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Experiences in NFL Europe

The conversation takes an international turn as Spagnuolo recounts his time coaching in NFL Europe, particularly with the Frankfurt Galaxy. He speaks fondly of the experience, noting the high level of motivation among players seeking another shot in the NFL.

"It was two of the funnest, most enjoyable coaching experiences." [48:22]

His tenure in Europe reinforced his belief in the global appeal of American football and the benefits of diverse coaching environments.

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Personal Anecdotes and Team Culture

Spagnuolo shares heartwarming stories about team culture, including the introduction of the "Cram Award," inspired by his wife Maria's culinary talents. These anecdotes illustrate the tight-knit relationships and camaraderie within the Chiefs organization.

"The Cram Award... Maria is the one that said you ought to do this." [56:11]

He also recounts memorable moments, such as his first NFL game planning mishap and his admiration for players like Justin Tuck, highlighting the blend of professionalism and humor that defines the team's environment.

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Defending Modern NFL Offenses

Discussing the challenges of defending today's NFL offenses, Spagnuolo emphasizes the need for flexibility and intelligence in defensive playcalling. He believes that as offensive strategies become more complex, defensive coordinators must innovate to stay ahead.

"You can play virtually anything... but if you guess wrong, it gets tough." [32:20]

He elaborates on the evolution of defensive schemes to counteract the increasing prevalence of spread and option offenses, ensuring the Chiefs remain competitive against diverse offensive threats.

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Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

In the episode's closing moments, Spagnuolo reflects on his career achievements and expresses enthusiasm for future challenges. He reaffirms his commitment to excellence and his appreciation for the Chiefs' supportive environment.

"You guys are the best, man. I appreciate you guys asking me to do it." [72:09]

The Kelce brothers thank Spagnuolo for his time, highlighting the invaluable knowledge and entertaining stories he brought to the episode.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "If you don't have that, there are. They could never have enough corners." – Steve Spagnuolo [08:54]
• "I owe that all to Andy Reid... the way Coach Reid has built this thing with the guys makes coming to work a joy every day." – Steve Spagnuolo [10:00]
• "We started game planning for that game... if we could hold them under 30 points, we might have a chance." – Steve Spagnuolo [42:36]
• "When you have a quarterback that's smart and intelligent, it's the toughest challenge." – Steve Spagnuolo [68:10]
• "It was two of the funnest, most enjoyable coaching experiences." – Steve Spagnuolo [48:22]
• "The Cram Award... Maria is the one that said you ought to do this." – Steve Spagnuolo [56:11]
• "You can play virtually anything... but if you guess wrong, it gets tough." – Steve Spagnuolo [32:20]
• "You guys are the best, man. I appreciate you guys asking me to do it." – Steve Spagnuolo [72:09]

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Conclusion

Episode 143 of New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce offers a comprehensive look into the mind of one of the NFL's most respected defensive coordinators. Steve Spagnuolo's insights into building a dominant defense, his enduring partnership with Andy Reid, and his experiences battling elite quarterbacks like Tom Brady provide listeners with a deep understanding of the strategic and personal elements that drive success in professional football. Whether you're an avid NFL fan or new to the sport, this episode delivers engaging stories and expert analysis that enrich your appreciation of the game.

Transcript

[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

Thank you to our partner, Borish Head.

[Travis Kelce]

You know what makes my day? The perfect sandwich. And I mean perfect sandwich.

[Jason Kelsey]

I'm not gonna lie. We love sandwiches. We love deli meats. I like cooked meats. I like meats of all kinds. But if you want deli meats, Borishead has got you covered.

[Travis Kelce]

Now I get why people make such a big deal about it. Their oven gold turkey.

[Jason Kelsey]

Don't even get me started on their ever roasted ch chicken. The craftsmanship that goes into each slice. Chef's kiss.

[Travis Kelce]

How would you describe your ultimate sandwich? What's going to make it extra special?

[Jason Kelsey]

Extra special. So if I'm trying to be extra special.

[Travis Kelce]

Yes.

[Jason Kelsey]

All right, so we're going to deli sandwich. If I'm going an extra special deli sandwich, I'm going to put some Boar's Head meat on there. I'm going to put some healthy layers of cheese. Potentially Parmesan cheese. I mean, I guess Parmesan. Some fresh Parmesan cheese on top. Put some, ooh, hot sauce. Put some hot sauce on there. Lettuce and tomato to make you feel like you're being healthy. Then mayonnaise, Healthy dose of mayonnaise and maybe a little bit of mustard. But it depends on how what hot sauce you're working with. Boar Said has been perfecting their legendary ingredients for over 120 years. From selecting premium ingredients to perfecting traditional methods, Boar's Head embraces True craftsmanship.

[Travis Kelce]

Whether it's their Smokemaster uncured ham or literally anything else they make, you're going to get the real deal.

[Jason Kelsey]

Head to your local Boar's Head deli counter to discover the craftsmanship behind every bite. Boar's Head, committed to craft since 1905.

[Travis Kelce]

Do you remember the pass that I threw against you?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Wait a minute now.

[Jason Kelsey]

That was against the Giants.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Did Landon pick it off? Did that?

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah. Well, I don't. I think I more so just threw it right, right to him that he.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Throw right to him. Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

It was the most impressive 80 yard torpedo of an interception.

[Travis Kelce]

Coach Reed knows not to not to put me in that situation ever again.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I appreciate you doing that that day though, Travis.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thank you.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I appreciate you doing that.

[Travis Kelce]

The funniest part is Alex Smith comes running over to me and I'm just like. I can't even look Coach Reed in the face. He's like, don't worry about it. It was like a punt. I was like. It was second down. It was second down. Welcome back to New Heights, a wonder show produced by Wave Sports Entertainment. We are your host and this show is brought to you by Zillow. Hey, download the app today. I'm Travis Kelly. This is my big brother, Jason Kelsey out of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. All right, now, shout out to those BearCats. Subscribe on YouTube Wundery plus wherever you get your podcast and follow the show on all social media at new height show with 1s. Jason, tell the people what we have for them this week.

[Jason Kelsey]

We got another great episode for you guys. Got a little merch update for you guys and we're gonna get to a guest. You guys have all been asking for that. We've been asking for that. We're exc.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Have on.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's Steve Spagnola. That's right. Defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs is on right now. You're going to want to see this one, Spags. But first, before we bring in spags, we're going to get a little bit of that new news.

[Travis Kelce]

New news.

[Jason Kelsey]

We got new merch. We're going to have Jake model these new bad boys off just in time for July 4th. We're kicking off the summer with the Red, White and blue collection. We've got two new TE's out now. A red, white and blue New heights logo tee and a Brewhites tee. Oh, I like that. Perfect for those backyard summer games. The Bru Heights are nice. I like that.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah, it just. It just. It's such a good name.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Rolls right off the tongue.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, man. Makes you want to have a beer, to be honest. Jake, can you, like, step back and give us a little spin?

[Jason Kelsey]

Did we get a little Brandon, I mean.

[Travis Kelce]

I mean you. Are you going to do it or not? Be part of the damn show, Jake.

[Jason Kelsey]

There's nothing on the other side of.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

The shirt by him.

[Travis Kelce]

Bye.

[Jason Kelsey]

Oh, I'm making her first New Heights appearance.

[Travis Kelce]

All right, give us a little. Give us a little. Give us a little. Hold it. Yeah. Now give us a little bit. There it is.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

There's nothing on the back here. Wait, I'll hold up.

[Travis Kelce]

Show the other one.

[Jason Kelsey]

Looks very good, though.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Red, white, and blue.

[Jason Kelsey]

Very good.

[Travis Kelce]

All right. All right.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

My dogs are gonna go nuts. I'm gonna hop out of here.

[Travis Kelce]

Thank you, Jake. You nailed it.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thanks, Jake. That's the red, white, and blue collection. We've got two new tees out now. A red, white, and blue New Heights logo and a Bru Heights te. Perfect for those backyard summer get togethers. Get yours [e-mail] New Heights, there's also time to submit your team for beer bowl three.

[Travis Kelce]

Ooh.

[Jason Kelsey]

We need you 92 percenters to send us your team submission videos. Reminder, we are judging based on team name, costumes, and vibes. That's right.

[Travis Kelce]

Got to be the vibes.

[Jason Kelsey]

Got to be Vibes. Drinking ability is an added bonus. All right, big change from the previous beer bowls. I will be competing this year, so you'll be able to compete against yours truly and Bo Allen. To submit, post your video on your preferred social media platform. Tag New Heights show with 1s and use the hashtag beerbowl. Deadline to submit your team is Wednesday, June 18th. There may be other Eagles players participating. I'm not really sure. Last year, Sidney Brown was in. Russ Tucker, I would assume is going to want to be back in Big.

[Travis Kelce]

J, Big Jordan Mulatta in that thing or what?

[Jason Kelsey]

Jordan's usually out of town. All right, let's get to our convo with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnola. Spags joining us today from Wigginsville, Massachusetts. He's been a football coach for over 40 years. Had nearly two dozen coaching roles in three countries. How about that? Nine states and the District of Columbia, a four time Super bowl champion. The only NFL coordinator to win a Super bowl with two different franchises. Tom Brady has called him the bane of my existence. That's a heck of an accolade. And he is now entering his seventh year with the Chiefs as the most successful defense coordinator in franchise history. Please welcome Steve Spagnolo.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You guys are the best. I'LL tell you what I think I. I paid Tom Brady a lot of money to say that. I don't think he worried about anybody, to be honest with you.

[Travis Kelce]

Well, hey, coach, thank you so much for joining with us, though, man.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I love it.

[Travis Kelce]

Appreciate you taking the time in the off season. I know things are starting to get riled up and. And everybody's starting to get excited. You got the rookies coming in in a few weeks, maybe even this weekend coming up, huh?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Coming up? Yeah, about four days. We'll be Saturday, Sunday, Monday, we'll be cranking.

[Travis Kelce]

You already know, and then we'll get it rocking and rolling on. On Tuesday. Man, I'm pumped.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

Is rookie mini camp as crazy for the coaches as it is for the players?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

It's crazy in that. Well, you know, I mean, you got a bunch of guys in here that it's. It's hard to get the scheme to them all at once. But. But I will say this. What I really like about. I think Andy would tell you the same thing. And, Jason, you could appreciate this. Like it's been now. It's been however long it's been, Trav, since we had the last game. And even the coaches get out of. You know, we've got to get tuned back up, too. And I think the rookie minicamp kind of gets us back in the groove. You know, the oil up your teaching technique. Oil up the words. Right. Put something new in. And it's kind of a little bit of a trial run, Trav, before you guys come in on Tuesday.

[Travis Kelce]

And then we hit the ground running.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

We kind of get going. I've always. Yeah, I've always liked it.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's awesome.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, it really is good.

[Travis Kelce]

Well, we just got some new pieces I know you're excited to work with, revamp the offensive defensive lines. And you gotta. How about that corner we got, huh? Seven picks, little ball.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You know, we could never have enough corners.

[Travis Kelce]

All right, now, you know that you.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Can never have enough.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

In this day and age, you can have never enough. So we. So we drafted those three defensive guys on. On Saturday, right?

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And so Sunday, when we're coming in here, Jason, Clark, Hunt, Mr. Hunt, and some of the other guys around, and they said, boy, you got. You got plenty of guys last night. Hey, Trav, you know what I said to him? I said, you know when you're a kid and you get eight presents under the tree and you open them up after you open the 8th one, what are you looking for?

[Jason Kelsey]

Look at that.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That's what I said we might have gotten three, but I'm looking for more, you know, have enough good defensive players.

[Travis Kelce]

That's awesome, man. You already know. Well, we're pumped to get into the building. Man, where do we even start with this, this career, Big guy. I mean, you've been with the chief since 2019, but that was honestly surprising.

[Jason Kelsey]

Because it feels like you just like got there. But I mean, seventh year, you've had so much success there. I don't know, like, what. Yeah. How's it been being with the Kansas City Chiefs, coach?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I owe that all to Andy. I mean, I. I've sat. So, you know, was the interim head coach of the Giants in that end of the 2017 year. When you guys won Jason and decided to take the year off, I thought it was a good time to do that. And when you do that, guys, you listen. You just don't know whether the next opportunity is going to come. But thank God, you know, coach. Coach Reed and I are really close and he had enough confidence that he was, you know, he said, hey, come on here, let's roll. And it's been nothing but a huge blessing since. I mean, look, when you can be around the guys, were around Jason, you know, you know, most of them, it's not just the pack that's in the Travs, but all these guys we have on defense, right, Travis, that. That are just good character guys. And just being in the building makes it all worthwhile. Now look at. Winning helps. We all know that. We all enjoy this profession when you're winning. But. But the way, you know, Coach Reid has built this thing with the guys that he's built it with, to me, that's makes coming to work a joy every day. It really does.

[Travis Kelce]

And I'll tell you what, Coach, the first day in OTAs, when I saw this new defense and this new D.C. and we had guys like Frank Clark and Tyrone Matthew, I mean, we. I mean, it was a completely different look on defense from. From especially in the offseason, and there was a completely different energy, camaraderie. And I think just the way you. You, like you said Coach Reed does it a certain way. You do it a certain way as well, where you bring everybody together and really work as like you bring every. Everybody together to work together to like, find one goal. And it's been so cool to see how the defense has gone from the beginning of my career to where it is now. It's so amazing how well they communicate and they all know what each other is doing.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You know, Trav you're hitting on something. And I appreciate you saying that because I respect. I mean, you guys know football, so when you see something and say something like that, that means a lot to me. But I will tell you this, and I don't know if you guys. I think you would agree, Jason, you just got done talking about Jeff Stoutland, our assistant coaches. Now. I'm not talking about the coordinator. I'm talking about the other guys I don't think get nearly enough credit. Yeah, but what you're just talking about, Travis, like, when you start talking about guys that communicate and how it kind of gels together, that doesn't happen if you don't have a, you know, a D line coach in the D line room doing it, a linebacker, and not everybody being on the same page. And you. You take the egos and you throw them out of the room. And we've got guys that do that. I've been really, really fortunate that way, Trav, you know.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And I'll tell you what. Because we've been fortunate enough to go as long as we do, our staff has kind of stayed pretty much intact because by the time we get done, you know, a lot of those jobs are gone, but we got a lot of guys on the defensive and offensive staff that deserve to be coordinators. And I think that's as important as anything myself.

[Travis Kelce]

I'm with you, coach.

[Jason Kelsey]

What do you think has been the biggest thing that has allowed you to continue to have so much success? Like, listen, I played against you when you were in New York, and some of the things you did as a coordinator would give us so many fits from the blitzes and the different looks and the multiplicity of things you'd have to be prepared for. But in Kansas City, it feels like it's gone to another level. Like you've. And I'm not saying this just because I'm on here with you right now, and I've told this to people. The job you and your staff and everybody and the players have done in Kansas City the past two or three years on defense, and everybody wants to talk about Travis Kelsey and Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Like you. Yeah, every. We all do. We all do. But what you guys have done over there has been absolutely remarkable. And it was absolutely remarkable all season long this past year. Is it anything that different from what you've done before? How have you continued to evolve with the game to make it so dominant? It's just been remarkable to watch.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I appreciate you saying that, Jason. The easy answer to that is players. And I mean that because if you don't have that, there are. There are a. I might be willing to say that most coaches that make their way to the NFL got a lot of ideas, are very creative and. But you can only do so much with the guys you have if they're able to do it. Now, I've said this before. I started this saying this two, three years ago, and it's still true. Now, Travis knows this because he knows the guys on the other side of the ball on defense, that this is the highest percentage of cerebral players in. In one room, in the defensive room that I've ever had. And when you have that, then you can do the things that you're talking about, Jason. Because it's hard to do it when you can' they don't do it up here.

[Jason Kelsey]

And do. Do you rate that at a premium to run your system in particular? Because, I mean, listen, you got these four. Three defense are playing cover three. You know, how much do you really gotta know? But like, you guys have so many different packages, different fronts and alignments and. Anyway, sorry.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That is. And I'll tell you what, to, to Brett Veach's credit and all the personnel people and Andy included, I. I mean, I value what I call football. Get it?

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Right. You don't. Listen, you don't have to be a 4.0 student in college. I mean, I don't ask. Right. Trav wouldn't be able to play defense if we were asking about gta. But, but, but football. Get it. Like, you guys know what I'm talking about. They get the game of football. And the more guys. Yeah. The more guys you can get in your room that. Especially on defense. And Trav, you know the guy in the middle that we have, Nick Bolton.

[Jason Kelsey]

I already knew. Had to.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. You got to have that guy in the middle.

[Travis Kelce]

I mean, the entire room legitimately like him and trank. And then you add the safeties and even somebody that's. That's. That's piece that you can move around like Trent. I mean, his understanding of the game and his understanding offenses and, and at this level, they're.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

All those guys are at that level. Leo Chanel is the same way. I don't think there's a. If you're going to be a multiple defense, that guy in the middle has to be that. Like, here's where I've been. I've been really lucky. So I've got Nick now. Anthony Hitchens was like that trap.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

When I first got here, when I was in New York. I had Antonio Pierce. Antonio Pierce became a head coach in this. I mean Jeremiah Trotter was really good. Kelvin Shepard is now the defensive coordinator, Detroit Lions. He was a mike linebacker for me in New York. So if you, if you've got those kind of guys right in the middle, it's like the center and the quarterback, Jason on offense, right? I mean.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

All right now, I mean if you.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Don'T have that guy, you can't, you can't do all these things.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, yeah. It reminds me of what Philly went through this year. We, we haven't had a great off ball linebacker in a long time. Like a game changing guy. What Zach Bond brought to the defense, you could just. It was so apparent how much better it made all three levels in playing in sync and it feels like connecting it. Whenever we watch Nick on tape, it was just so apparent how much of everything he was helping orchestrate and get lined up and just a tremendous amount of respect for that guy.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I bet if you talk to all the other guys, I mean he makes the other 10 better. Like he's telling the D line what to do and he's signaling back here and, and listen, when in doubt, when I, when in doubt, I tell him, do whatever Nick, whatever Nick tells you to do, just do. Might not. It might not be exactly the way.

[Travis Kelce]

We put it, but at least you'll be sound. At least you'll be.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That's exactly right. Everybody be doing the same thing. But we got a big, A lot of trust in Nick.

[Jason Kelsey]

Good, good, good. We just had the draft. Do you want to talk about any of these guys in particular? What do you think of this D tackle from Tennessee? What's your strengths? Omar?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I'll tell you what he's, you know who he's a little bit like Travis is Turk.

[Travis Kelce]

Nice.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, a little bit like Turk.

[Travis Kelce]

We lost Turk to the Carolina Panthers. One of my favorite teammates of all times from St. Louis.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, I loved her. But this, this young guy, Jason is a movement guy. Be really good. The defensive end, Galetti that we got, I think he's a. He could, he could play anywhere. He's one of. And both these guys are real smart. The corner. No, no. Williams the same way. And then we got a linebacker I think is going to be really good. But all these guys are, I feel like will fit in the rooms they're going into. I think they will be kind of the mold that we, we were just got done talking about. They got, they have football. Get it. And again, you Know, give Brett Veach lot of credit because they, they come around it. What's great. We. We collaborate better here than anywhere I've ever been. I'm talking about personnel and coaching, and I think that is one of the keys to, you know, the success we've had.

[Jason Kelsey]

Coach, you just said you're. You look forward to all the players when they're getting back around, not just the veterans, but these rookies when they're going to come in. Is there anything right away that you look at and that you love to see out of like a young play? Like, what's that attribute that you're like, man, this is the guy I want on the team.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

This particular camp, I'll be keeping my eyes on those guys that pick it up the quickest. Now we actually listen. Some of these guys are coming in here, they're going to be swimming, but you can weed out the ones right away that can't. And we purposely put probably too much install in Jason. We probably do, sure. But we do it on purpose to see who can handle it. And so the first thing I'll look at is guys that can get it mentally. And then the next thing will be because we're talking about guys that have come in trying to get a job. The guys that can play more than one position. Like if you're a guy that's a nickel safety or a nickel corn, or if you're a guy that. That. That is a defensive end that can kick inside on third down, you know, that's. And linebackers that can play all positions. So I, I kind of keep my eye on those two things. The football. Get it. And the guys that are a little bit versatile.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

That versatility, running, especially your system always gave us fits offensively because it's like, is this guy a dn? Am I counting this guy as a down lineman or a linebacker? Leo Chanel responsible by the offensive line or the running back? Who am I giving him to? Because I don't want to give him to the running back, but I might have to because the safety's over here. Go ahead, coach.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Hey. Hey, Jason. What. So what. What would happen. You were the line coach in the league, right?

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

What would happen if we came out of the locker room before the game and everybody just switched jerseys?

[Jason Kelsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And Nick had Leo's shirt on and Leo had some. I remember be all. Because you're working off of numbers always.

[Jason Kelsey]

You gotta. You gotta rollerex. You're like, okay, 42 and 50. 52 and 54 are down.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, we consider them this. We consider them.

[Travis Kelce]

Especially when it comes to those situational downs where the packages are so much different than the base personnel. Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Hey, Trav, I. I want to do that someday. Maybe at halftime.

[Jason Kelsey]

Just do it.

[Travis Kelce]

Just do it at practice one time.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

One.

[Jason Kelsey]

You'll get fine on the NFL. Just eat it just to see what happens.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, it's definitely a fine. There's definitely a fine.

[Jason Kelsey]

So for everyone listening who doesn't understand this, the way protections work offensively, a lot of is based on personnel and matchups. And what coach does so well and what these versatile guys are so great at providing is they're a mismatch for a running back. But then they can also drop in coverage and be reliable to the point that if you put offense alignment on them, now, all of a sudden, coach is getting numbers away from them in, like, a blitz package. So it always gave us fits. It gave us fits when you were in New York, and it definitely gave us fits when you were with Kansas City.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well, that's good. That's good to know.

[Travis Kelce]

Spags is the ultimate chess player, baby. The ultimate chess player's gonna be mad at me.

[Jason Kelsey]

He's gonna be like.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

We were just watching. We were just watching film this morning. I won't tell you what team it was, but I don't know why this happened, but two snaps in a row, this offensive team put the running back on Chris Jones.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I'm like, wait, wait a minute.

[Jason Kelsey]

What is this?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

We need to shut down more often. We need to shut down more often.

[Jason Kelsey]

Chris is licking his chops.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

[Jason Kelsey]

Let's go to your relationship with coach Reed. You talked about. He's a big reason you're there. How long have you known Big Red?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. Good. That's a good one, guys. So I go all the way back. So the connection was, I'm gonna try to get the year for you. It had to be. It was late 80s. Let's say 88, 89.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, man. The late 80s were. Those were good days. Those are good years.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. You weren't even born yet.

[Travis Kelce]

I snuck in there, coach. It was October of 89, but I snuck in there.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

So you're hitting, like, seven decades already. Right. Andy took a job at the University of Texas, El Paso.

[Jason Kelsey]

Okay.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

With a head coach by the name of Bob Stull, who was here. The head coach of Missouri here for a little while.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And a friend of mine that I had worked with at the University of Massachusetts got on that same staff. So Andy and Steve T. Lander, who was my friend, were on, and I would go visit this friend, Steve T. Lander. And it was just. When I was there, I was coaching. I think I was coaching at the University of Connecticut at the time. And you'd go listen, in college football, you'd go visit other staffs all the time, share information. That doesn't happen in the NFL. That's the one thing you lose when you get to this level. Because nobody's sharing ideas. Right? Nobody's. Nobody's telling you what they're doing. They're always keeping it up. But. But. So that's where I first met Andy. And then they. He went from there to Missouri. I was still coaching in college somewhere, but we always kind of. We just kind of had a connection. Loved football. He was over on offense, I was on defense. But we. I enjoyed talking with about that. And then eventually he got the job in, you know, Lee's Green Bay, gets a job in Philadelphia in 99. And at the time, I was coaching in NFL Europe. That was one of my. Oh, yeah. Overseas deals.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And because of the connection I had had with Andy, asked me to be a part of his staff, which was great.

[Travis Kelce]

That's awesome.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I owe him. I mean, I'm not in the NFL if it's not for Andy Reid.

[Jason Kelsey]

Shout out to Big Red.

[Travis Kelce]

He doesn't have three rings without you either, big guy.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well. Well, that was a. That's a pretty good group effort, Travis.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah. We all had a piece of it, but.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, exactly.

[Travis Kelce]

That's cool, though. I didn't know it. I didn't know it went all the way back down.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Way back.

[Travis Kelce]

So bad. How about it?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

All the way back to El Pa. Texas. Yeah. Remember playing in a. Andy wasn't a golfer, but I think he came to the golf event. And I just remember it was a heck of a time. And that's where you get. Listen, players, coaches, it's a fraternity, right. And you get around as many. Many of these people as you can, usually down the road. It's a contact you made a long time ago that gets you your big step. That's what happened to me.

[Jason Kelsey]

I know you said there's not a lot of, you know, coaching philosophies and techniques and things shared in the NFL, but I'd imagine you being around one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of the NFL has shaped how you prepare and game plan. Like, I don't. What. What. What has that been like? Learning from the big guy?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Awesome. I mean, listen, they. Travis and his crew we were talking about our side of the ball. Let me tell you what the headaches we got to go through in ota. The one. One headache, though, Travis, we don't have to go through is we don't have to worry about defending the run.

[Jason Kelsey]

There we go.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. Every call we make in OTAs and training camp, the pass, it could be second and one.

[Jason Kelsey]

We're gonna go quarters.

[Travis Kelce]

Well, it's always special situations. And yeah, we like to have the.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Ball in pat Bones hands maybe just a little bit.

[Jason Kelsey]

Probably. It's probably pretty smart.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. Getting back to your. Your. Your point, Jason. I mean, Andy. Listen, the great thing about Andy is he. You guys have seen how he has changed over the years. I mean, when we were defending him in 1999 and 2000, when I was just an assistant coach, it was really different. We had done with McNabb and, you know, his boots and it was two backs and, you know, flow pass and things. Now, you know, Andy's got people all over the place. So he's evolved with the game as good as anybody, and give him tools like, you know, 87 and 15 and the rest of them, and Andy's going to find a way to score a lot of points.

[Travis Kelce]

I mean, the offense from my Rookie year in 13 to now is night and day different. It is night and day different. I look at some of the. I'll have fun when we're in training camp, and I'll just peek at a few training camp clips from 2013 just to see how far I've come or how far I'm going back. I'll tell you what, lining up at fullback for, you know, Jamal Charles and. And Nile Davis back in the. Back in the day was. It's a pretty funny sight to see.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Different.

[Travis Kelce]

Trying to meet Derek Johnson in the. In the B gap. It's. We. We don't do that. We don't do that that much anymore.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, sure. Sherman A is no longer there.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah, exactly.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You don't have him there. You know. You know, Jason, why was. Because I was thinking about it today. Your. The year you came out was the lockout year.

[Jason Kelsey]

It was, yeah. I took a visit. I visited you when you were in St. Louis.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

When I was in St. Louis. But. But I always thought that would have been in college. Right, Trav? Still, you would have been in Cincinnati at that time. I would have thought that would have been one of the toughest things to do as a rookie coming in that year. No, no. Offseason, boom. Right in the training camp. Right. I mean, Talk about a challenge.

[Jason Kelsey]

It was odd. I got the playbook, believe it or not, Coach, two days before training camp started because they had just released.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

We couldn't, we couldn't give anything out.

[Jason Kelsey]

Especially for the later round picks. For some reason there was like something that happened where if you were a first day pick or a second day pick, they like let you come to the facility or they gave you the book.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

But there was one day, they allowed one day.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's what it was.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Because we drafted Sam Bradford in that draft and he was able to come to the office for one day and then that was it. They locked everybody out again. It was nuts. It was nuts. Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

So yeah, I remember showing up and I got into a really fortunate situation because Howard Mudd wanted a more athletic center. So I had an opportunity. But it was, it was swimming. It was swimming for sure. And we were running like in Cincinnati. We never had run these two back plays and we didn't do a lot of two back offense. That wasn't a staple of what we were doing.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

But like, Is that right?

[Jason Kelsey]

Fox 2 run and Fox 3. And I'm like what, what are all these? I don't know what this is. Seven man protection.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

What's that? I've never run seven.

[Jason Kelsey]

So it was, it was a learning curve for sure. But I was, it was fun.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

It's funny when you say that. So it really, the college football has, all of that has kind of made its way now into the NFL, right?

[Travis Kelce]

Oh yeah, 100%.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That's kind of how it's. It usually, usually goes the other way, but it kind of went that way on the open, you know, on the no huddles and all the.

[Travis Kelce]

I think it was around 14 or 15 maybe that we, we brought in. I believe it was the head coach in Nevada because he was running that air raid offense.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Chris Al. Was it? Chris Al, yes.

[Travis Kelce]

So we were bringing it, we were bringing in coach and he was. And he was like, kind of like implementing some of this stuff, stuff that he was doing. Knowing that Alex Smith that we had at quarterback had ran that spread offense in college under Urban Meyer at Utah. It's himself. So I mean that it's sort of made its way in and then all of a sudden these RPOs come in and, and Chip Kelly over in, over in Philly actually brought a lot of those RPOs and spreading the, spreading the teams out. Nick Foles throwing seven touchdowns a game over there in Philly.

[Jason Kelsey]

That was a fun year.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

So Jason, you know, and Travis, you probably know When I first went to Philadelphia in 1999, I worked for a defensive coordinator by the name of Jim Johnson, who is legendary in Philadelphia. Right, Jason?

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yes.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. You guys know that. So I can remember it was probably early 2000s. Cause we're talking about how this football changed. And you know how Trav, on Saturday nights when we have our snack that the college games are on.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Oh yeah. And we're always watching the college games. And I can remember sitting there with Jim in one of those years and look, watching the college game and they were running option football and Jim going, this is in 2000 now, right. I'm sure glad we don't have to worry about all that option shit. Really, I don't want to be dealing with all that. And lo and behold, you know, 10 years later, 12, 15 years later, and God bless him, we lost Jim and he wasn't coaching then, but now it is all in this league and we all got to worry about it. It makes it challenging.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah. And the quarterbacks are much more dual. All of them can run and move to a certain ext. And what is, do you think is reverting back a little bit though, this air raid offense spread stuff now you're seeing, you know, the, with San Fran and the Shanahan offenses are doing so well. Detroit, Philadelphia obviously ran, has been running the ball. They're still doing the zone reads, but they're finding ways to implement some of these smash mouth concepts that have kind of fallen out of favor.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You know, it's funny, I keep, you know, I'm listening like you guys in the off season to all the talk and you know, will it convert completely back to the way it was? I don't think so. I think the throwing the football is still so exciting in this league. Defending, throwing the ball is still exciting yet. But I do think you will see more teams. Maybe the percentages of running will go up a little bit, but not everybody's going to have a Saquon Barkley, you know, I mean, everybody's looking at that right now. But those guys are tough.

[Jason Kelsey]

I guess running backs really are important.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, I guess so. Right? They had an offensive line, right. Listen, I coach. Offensive coaches are really smart in this league, so, you know, they'll go with anything that's working. I think there'll be a little bit more of a turn toward. I don't think anybody will get away from, you know, winning games ultimately with.

[Jason Kelsey]

Throwing the ball, that's all. And especially when, let's face it, most of the time the great teams are close games and close games come down so often and this is why Pat has been so successful. And you guys in Kansas City, you guys, I mean, how many close games you guys close out last year that were one score just like unbelievable. Whether it's a block kick or, I mean, it was unbelievable.

[Travis Kelce]

All 15 of them.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That's. That's the truth. I mean, some of them you can't even explain, Travis. I mean, how did that happen? Who knows?

[Travis Kelce]

I said how the hell Leo got that block in Denver.

[Jason Kelsey]

So crazy called it too.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, right.

[Jason Kelsey]

Do you think some of that, that conversion back is also what defenses have done like defensive now and you guys have done a lot of this, this playing a little bit more like shell, like two safeties back. Still aggressive though. And teams are trying to figure that out that, that quarter shift and what's the best way to attack it.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well, and what you're on to then, Jason, is because we're so past defense oriented that, you know, running the ball and softening the, you know, getting you out of that and trying to throw the ball is still going to be the game that's going to happen. And I, you know, listen, you guys remember way back when when, I mean, when the 4:3. Remember the university of Miami had all those. Warren Sapp was there and they had it and they just sat in that shell took care of the pass with those guys back there, but they didn't have to worry about having an extra gap on offense because Warren Sapp and.

[Jason Kelsey]

The rest of them will fork. All those guys are clogging it all.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

They were just two gapping and guys. So when you, when you, when you, I mean, listen, it's, and again, I go back, it comes back to players. When you've got players like that, you can play virtually anything, right? And, and be successful. Now when you're not quite as stout and, and, and you're trying to defend the pass and you guess wrong and they run the football and it's a 12, 15 yard run and then you got to change it up and that's where the game gets a little bit tough. I think you'll see more of that though. Jason, I agree with what you're saying. I really do. Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

All right.

[Travis Kelce]

Before we move on from Coach Reed, you got any like favorite Andy Reid stories from, from back in the day or any, any gold you could tell us to keep it kicking, but I, you know, I had to at least ask.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Ask. Well, I will tell you this, Travis, and you'll be able to appreciate this. So now I'm a. I get the job in 99. There two years. I. About. About the third year, Travis, is when I met Maria, my wife. And you've. You've met.

[Travis Kelce]

Yes.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And you know. You know, she's legendary, Jason, for the food that she makes. But. But here's. What is it. So now I'm gonna sit. I think I was like quality control or maybe I had become the safety coach or something. But I'm trying to climb the ladder, right? So the one way to climb the ladder is to keep the head coach. You know, you keep. Stay on his good side. So on Friday, on Fridays, when Maria would make the. Whether it was banana pudding or the sweet potato pie or whatever, I'd always sneak one of those bad boys. Maybe two or three of them. Coach, these are for you. These are a whole separate package. Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

Just if you need some fuel to get you through the evening.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Hey, Travis, maybe. Maybe that's why I got the chance to come here.

[Travis Kelce]

There we go.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

There we go. With my coaching ability, it had to do with the banana pudding.

[Travis Kelce]

That is a golden Andy Reid story.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I don't have any good dirt stories or anything.

[Travis Kelce]

No, no, that was. That was golden in itself right there.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, He's. I love Andy. You know that. He's the best.

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

Hey, I love Zillow. Love going on.

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Steve Spagnuolo]

Me or.

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

Jason.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

What.

[Travis Kelce]

What do you think felt more complex? Buying your first house or learning your first playbook?

[Jason Kelsey]

Buying your first house. There's so many kind of like, archaic things about it.

[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

How did it all start for you in the coaching world? How did, how did you know you wanted to get into it? Was it, was it always a passion of yours or.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, I tell you what, Trav, I can go back to I remember being in high school. Now listen, you guys know I didn't, I didn't grow to be big like you, dude. So I, I didn't what's going to be. We all wanted to be pro football players. I I GRE outside of Boston. So it was either that or hockey. Bobby Orr.

[Travis Kelce]

Love Bobby.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

So I decided that I did want to coach and I went to Springfield College in Western Massachusetts. Was a big phys Ed school, had pumped out a lot of coaches for that reason. And listen, when I went to college, my goal was to go to college, play Division 2 football, get a phys Ed degree, come back to my high school school, teach phys Ed for the rest of my life and coach high school football. That was the, that's a pretty good, that was the gig. That's what I was going to do. And then along the way I got there and, and that school had a lot of guys that had, had graduated and were coaching in college. And so I got to meet those guys along the way. One of them was at Wake Forest and this guy was at Boston College or. And so that kind of sparked my interest and so I kind of set my sights on coaching in college football, which I did for 15 years. And you know, in the back of your mind, you know, look at your you're hoping that maybe someday you get a break and coach in the NFL. But you know, then you were looking at a, you know, short white dude from north New England. Who the hell is going to hire that guy to coach football? You know, but luckily when we Go back to the story of the connection with Andy that I was able to get a break. But it's. Trav, it's always. My mother was a teacher from. For 35, 40 years. So that I think that bug of teaching and helping other people and being able to see somebody go from being non skilled or, you know, slightly skilled to getting really good because you've helped them, that's kind of always been there. And that's. That's what I enjoy. That's what I really enjoy about. Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's awesome. What did your mom teach?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

She was actually a specialist special needs teacher, so. And so that takes a little bit of patience.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

English and special needs that she had, and mostly the junior high and elementary school levels.

[Jason Kelsey]

Gotcha.

[Travis Kelce]

That's awesome, man. Shout out to mama's bags.

[Jason Kelsey]

Absolutely.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. Why not, right? Yeah. I got to. Got to. She pointed me in the right direction. Yeah, we all needed that. Everybody. Yeah. Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

Well, you won your. Your first Super bowl in 2007 as a DC with the Giants against the undefeated New England Patriots. How crazy was that to go into a game with the. The. The Monstars that they had over there on that offensive side, as well as the. The fact that they were going into it as unbeaten throughout the season.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Listen, Trav, when I. Before that game and we had a, you know, we had a good group of dudes, you know, you know Michael and. Oh, yeah, Strah. You guys know all those guys.

[Travis Kelce]

Trey's the best man.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

But I will tell you this. When we started game planning for that game, because they were a juggernaut with the guys, they had most points scored ever in the NFL. In NFL. I thought if we could hold them under 30 points, that we might have. And Jason, that's not usually what you say.

[Jason Kelsey]

Right, right, right, right.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

But I just felt like that if we didn't do that, we had no chance at least. And I thought our offense would score a little bit. And it kind of went a different way. It became kind of a def. Offensive battle. But they were that good. And Tom was so deadly. You know how he is. You're talking about cerebral. You do one thing, you know exactly where to go with it. And we had. There were two or three wrinkles, and in every game, we always do that with change. Two or three, they don't always work, Jason, you know, you. You figure out a way to pick it up. But the two or three key things that we had actually worked in that game and made made a huge, huge difference. The guys executed, suited them Perfect in critical situations. And I think that kind of built that little cut. The best thing that happened that year. And really. And I think Mike Strahan and the guys would tell you this, Trav and Jason, that the key to having the confidence to beat them was when we played them in game 16. Yeah, they beat us in the. In the final game. They went 16 and 0. We just kind of. It was a slug fest and we were right in there. And I. Guys, I remember Justin Timber Tuck walking off the field. I vividly remember this. We were in the end zone at Giant Stadium and him saying, coach, if we get to play them again, we can get these guys like, he just walking away. He felt that way that day. Now, we didn't know that, you know, fast forward a month later, we were going to be in there playing the undefeated Patriots. But that our guys had that kind of confidence going into it.

[Travis Kelce]

And when you got the leaders breathing and speaking confidence like that, man, it just oozes into everybody else is like veins.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, we. We just got on a roll.

[Travis Kelce]

Justin Tuck is. He's one of those guys.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

So do you guys know Justin?

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

He's.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

He's the real deal, man. Notre Dame guy.

[Jason Kelsey]

Smart.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You talk about another cerebral football. So this is what. This is what Justin. So Justin was right. Now, Trav, I usually use Leo for this and sometimes too tranquil, but he's our joke. Justin Tuck was our joker.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You know, Jason, the guy that. He had a D. He had a D lineman number. You count.

[Jason Kelsey]

He's never going to be counted as a laugh.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Or in the D line. But just. So Thursday is the big third down day, right? Jeff and Jason, I'm sure you've done the same thing. And so we would put these blitzes in, and he'd be the joker, and I'd put them in all different spots. He would mess everything up on Thursday. He'd say to me, coach, I'll be good. Just, I'll be good. And he ultimately, by the time Sunday rolled around, he was. He had. Yeah, he had. It was awesome. But he was good.

[Jason Kelsey]

Doesn't breed the most confidence from the coach in the middle.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You walk when you walk away and you go, I got it. Should we take this out? Yeah, he was. He was the best. Those guys. That. That crew was. That was a special crew, too. Really was.

[Jason Kelsey]

If you don't mind me ask, what were the wrinkles that you did to throw Tom or the New England offense off?

[Travis Kelce]

Just give us one.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Just give us one. Okay. The one. The One we did was. And you guys will know this, so, you know, I like to run overload pressures.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yes. So photo side free safety, Will or Nick or Mike or whatever. Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You know, and typically the. The linebacker away from the overload, Jason would kind of. And then he. Yeah, and he's pulling out.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And the minute he pulls out, everybody turns over that way. So that particular game, I said, look, the first time we run this, Antonio was supposed to come. I said, antonio, you don't go as the Mike linebacker. And Kawika Mitchell. Mitchell did what we call coffee house. He made it look like he was. But. But he ended up going. And by the time he turned and went, nobody picked him up. And we got a sack out of it, so.

[Travis Kelce]

The old coffee house.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, exactly. And we did it early enough, I think, where once that happened and it's something you would practice for two weeks. Right. I think the guys go, holy. That worked. Yeah, that's great. We're on a roll, right? Let's do the next thing. Let's do the next one. So that helped that it worked on that particular day. They don't always work, like I say, but that was one of them.

[Jason Kelsey]

And just blitzing that guy once makes us be honest with it, because we were going to it a lot of times and like, hey, every time this guy mugs up in the A gap, he bails and they blitz. The free safety's down over here. They're running the four to a side over here. So you're like trying to play that where it's like, hey, number, like this guy's right up on the ball. If he comes the back. Better be pretty stout picking this guy up, otherwise it's not going to be good. Good. So you just do that once, and then all of a sudden the whole game plan, now you're chasing that one right from the get go because you're like, hey.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Because it might happen again. Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Hey, nobody got.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I don't think we. I don't think we ran it again in the game. I think it was just that one shot.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, but sometimes that's all it takes.

[Travis Kelce]

And then it's just one.

[Jason Kelsey]

Now we got to honor that guy.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, that's right. That's right. That's right.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yep. Yep. I love it.

[Travis Kelce]

Coach, I gotta ask you about your time in Frankfurt, dude, I think it is such a unique opportunity, and it was cool. It had to be cool to go back to the city and actually. And actually play there. Last year you were the defensive coordinator for the Frankfurt Galaxy. In Germany. And what did you take away from your time in Europe before coming back to. To coach in the NFL?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, listen, the first of all, because it was from there that. That Andy called me. I was. I was going to go back the next year in 99 back to Frankfurt. Really? How about this?

[Jason Kelsey]

How about this?

[Travis Kelce]

You had that much fun. You had that. You'd love those schnitzels that much, huh?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I was good. Well, here's the thing. I actually at. I think I was living in Toledo, Ohio. I was in Ohio, you guys. I took a German class to try to learn a little bit more German because I thought I was going back. I learned nothing. Duncan and Venuschnitzel.

[Travis Kelce]

That was about how I went.

[Jason Kelsey]

What else do you need? What else do you need?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You only learn a language if you're over there and you're speaking it. But listen, I spent two years in NFL Europe, one year in Barcelona, Spain. That was in 92 or 93 and then in 98 in Frankfurt, Germany. And those were two of the funnest, most enjoyable coaching experience. And one of the reasons not only being over in Europe and seeing all that, that's kind of cool. You guys have been there and everybody should go travel abroad because it's, it's. It's. I think it's great.

[Jason Kelsey]

I love it.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

But the other thing was, remember this now, the guys that we were coaching were all guys that might have got cut from an NFL team team. Right. That were looking for another shot. And so they were. So I. It was the most motivated, in tune. Embraced group of guys you could have because they were always. They were all trying to get somewhere else. It wasn't like they were chasing money. They were chasing another opportunity of playing football. So I, I valued that. And to go back Trav with you guys and was two years ago. Yeah, two years ago to Frankfurt and it was at that same stadium. You know, the last year I was there, we played in the World Bowl. We got beat by the. The Rhine Fire. But it. In that stadium. It looked completely different when. When we went back, Travis. Because it was different when I was there. But. But it was a great experience and some of the people were still there that did remember that I coached there. That was. That was really cool.

[Travis Kelce]

Now that's cool.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I wish that league. I wish it was still. Listen, Jason, I'll tell you what. You talk about developing o linemen.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That league was great for it.

[Jason Kelsey]

You know who was just over there was. It wasn't. It's not NFL Europe anymore. But we just had Joe Thomas on. He was coaching over in Munich last year, and he said, I'm not kidding. Yeah, he loved it. And in particular, the O line guys taking these guys that are new to the game and it's a little bit different than what it was with NFL Europe, but it's. He still loved it.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I went over when I first got here, Trav, in 2019, I went over to Italy to do a camp with some coaches from the Chicago Bears. It was a tie in with one of the. One of the coaches for the Bears was an Italian guy coaching that league. When you go over there and you work with European people that are into American football, you have the most captive audience.

[Travis Kelce]

They're dedicated.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Oh, they're into it. And they love it. It. And listen, the level is completely different, but sure, I just think it's great. I wish the NFL, Europe would make its way back or. But anybody that's ever gone over there to do that, just like Joe Thomas, have always come away loving it.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Let me ask you this. Do you think we'll ever see a division over there? There's been talk of it. Oh, maybe one team in London, one.

[Travis Kelce]

Team in Germany, one in Milan, one in Dublin.

[Jason Kelsey]

It'd be fun.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

First of all, I would love that, number one. But the thing would be. All right, so here's the hard part. You can go. Let's use the Dolphins. You go to the Miami. You're a free agent, right, Travis, you go to the Miami Dolphins for X number of dollars. Or you can go to London for X number of dollars, which is. Which is basically half because London's pretty expensive. I mean, you got all those dynamics that kind of make it tough, but I sure wish they would. I think it would be terrific. It makes the. Make the game global, right? Yeah, I think it would be great.

[Jason Kelsey]

And it's starting to feel like, from what Joe was telling me, from what you're telling me in Germany, like, I. The global demand for it is higher than it's ever been. And like, when we go over to London, it's insane. I mean, it feels like an all Star game because there's jerseys from all over the place, but it's pretty cool. But I don't know.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

The only way, the only time. Those trips are really fun, though, Travis. When you win. When you don't win, it's like never going back. You got to win. You gotta win.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's how it always, always works.

[Travis Kelce]

Unfortunate. We've. We won all our international games, so. We did.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

We've been Fortunate.

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

Like, you know to check if you've got enough charcoal before pulling out the barbecue?

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Jason Kelsey]

Once again, Accelerate has a a great deal where you get $5 off their variety pack on Amazon that has a little bit of a rocket pop, cherry, ice pop, tropical punch. What flavor are you grabbing first if it's your variety pack? Trev?

[Travis Kelce]

On the weekends, I like to go a little. A little more, you know, I mean, like, I'm on the island, so I like to go tropical punch on the weekends. All right, if I'm getting it going on the week, I'm going rocket pop. It's gonna get me right every time.

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Travis Kelce]

It's kind of like when you give yourself your own nickname and you try to, like, get other people to do it.

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[Travis Kelce]

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[Steve Spagnuolo]

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[Travis Kelce]

Let's get to our last segment and get you out of here. Coach, we appreciate your time, but we got one last segment called we gotta add ask, but you don't gotta answer. We always end the combos. You could tell. You can either answer it or you can tell us to kick rocks.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, I can plead not guilty or.

[Travis Kelce]

There you go.

[Jason Kelsey]

Plead the fifth.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Plead the fifth. I can plead the fifth, right? The fifth. Yeah. All right.

[Travis Kelce]

What was your initial reaction to Justin Reed's in Spags We Trust T shirt?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I could. I was trying to burn those so quick. I mean, listen. Humbling. So humbling. I love Justin the best, but I had to shake my head. That's just hard for me to see. Yeah, I was. I was. I was trying to burn them up.

[Travis Kelce]

No, man, you know, I had to get one of those things.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I know. You're the best.

[Travis Kelce]

Those things were selling like hot cakes, Coach.

[Jason Kelsey]

So cool.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I don't know about that.

[Travis Kelce]

So you don't have one yourself? You didn't just sneak one for old memory?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I. I can. I can honestly say I don't have one.

[Travis Kelce]

That's too funny.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I can look at my face. I can look in the mirror and see that.

[Travis Kelce]

I love it.

[Jason Kelsey]

So you're talking about Maria being a tremendous cook earlier. She's known to cook an Italian dinner for the players that have the best hit every win. And it's called the CRAM Award. Is this real?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, that's real.

[Jason Kelsey]

When did this start?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That is real.

[Jason Kelsey]

And who gave her that idea?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

So we've all. We've always had an award. It's been called different things, but two years ago, because it's been two seasons now. My. My wife loves animals. Animals. And so she gets on these videos and she found. Tony Breaker is a comedian. He does these voiceovers. Jason, of. Of like, just imagine two rams. You know that they're doing this, right? But he. He's talking through. They're funny. They're funny. And we always play. We always play. Yeah, we always play a clip of it before we give the award out. So Maria is the one that said, you ought to do this. You ought to make the award. This Cram Award. She's the. And then she offered to. You know, I said, well, we got to give him something. So that's where the pasta came in. But. But they love. Listen, they wait for Saturday mornings, Trav, to see who's got. Chris Jones said to me one time, listen, I don't want a game ball. I could give a game ball to somebody else. I just want to win the crab awards. Get Maria's pasta. Yeah, that's Maria's pasta.

[Travis Kelce]

It's so good.

[Jason Kelsey]

Is it. Is it always red? Like, what's. What. What's Maria working with? Usually she'll change it up.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, Nick's not a red sauce guy, so the white sauce, you name it. Jason, she can make it, I guarantee you. You want to put your order in You.

[Jason Kelsey]

I want to say, I got to get involved on this now.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You're going to jump in on that bad boy? I mean, she. We've done it everywhere we've been. And when. When we were in New York and we would do it for the defense there, the old lineman, Jason found a way. They found.

[Travis Kelce]

They.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I heard later to run, but for some reason, all the. All the defensive guys weren't getting the banana pudding.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, what's going on?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

It was. It was Chris Sne. It was Snee, and it was o'.

[Jason Kelsey]

Hara or.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

All those guys.

[Jason Kelsey]

Deal.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Okay. Deal was big part of it.

[Jason Kelsey]

The.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

What am I. Hey, you got to feed the old lineman, right, Trav? It doesn't matter what.

[Travis Kelce]

Come on now.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Just, like, take care of the old.

[Jason Kelsey]

Lineman just, like, knew to take the pies to the head coach. The offensive lineman know where the pies are coming from.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

They know, right? Way to get the. They sniff it out.

[Jason Kelsey]

I gotta ask you this, coach. What was your first impression of Travis Kelsey?

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, God.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well, the first impression would have been having to defend him when he was playing. And that was like, what a headache. We gotta go against this guy now, Trav, I think. I think the one game when I was in New York, I think I got fortunate because one of your wideouts didn't play. And we were able. Jason. We put like three guys. Travis Kelsey at least doubled. Might have been triple, but Landon Collins plus the.

[Jason Kelsey]

The linebacker. Plus.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Exactly. Yeah. All over the place. We weren't going to let 87 beat us, but. But I. And then when I got to meet him here, I mean, listen, I'm not saying this because you're sitting here, Chad, but you're one of the purest down the earth mega stars that anybody could ever meet. And I just think that's. That's a great quality for both of you guys to be who you are and what you are in this world and to just be regular guys. I mean, look at. I'M sitting here with the Kelsey brothers.

[Travis Kelce]

You're the best. That means the most coming from me.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Coach, here's what I would say is don't you got. Don't ever change.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Because you guys are the. You're the real deal. And I know you won't.

[Travis Kelce]

You got a coach. Do you remember the.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

The.

[Travis Kelce]

The pass that I threw against you back in 2000, that was against the Giants? Man, I remember it like it was yesterday. And now I see it more than ever. Ever.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Coach, did Landon. Did Landon pick it off?

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah. Well, I think I more so just threw it right to him than he.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Threw right to him.

[Jason Kelsey]

It was the most impressive 80 yard torpedo of an interception. But it was.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well, he was going back to his Cincinnati day.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's right.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That's exactly why I was in the playing Wildcat. Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

Exactly why I got moved to the tight end.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Hey, Travis, have you. Have you thrown? Well, you have thrown since. But I mean, that season. Did the boss go back to the.

[Travis Kelce]

Well on that one? Well, you gotta understand, I. I went gung ho. I decided to. I had one read and it was throw it to Tyreek. And Tyreek looked like he was double covered. So I looked at the backside.

[Jason Kelsey]

Back across the field.

[Travis Kelce]

Yeah, back across field. Where coach told me to not to throw it. You don't to have progression, Travis. You have one guy and then you run football. And I was just like, man, I'll tell you what. I don't know.

[Jason Kelsey]

I can do it.

[Travis Kelce]

I'm just gonna assess the defense.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

And as soon as I get to a funky formation and the linebacker at the time, I forget the lineback at the time. But he immediately checked to cover two to just.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

It would have been Kevin. I think it was Calvin Shepard.

[Travis Kelce]

Yes. And it was just kind of just to make sure that they were prepared and ready for anything. Because we were in a weird formation and sure enough, I get the ball. I see. I see the backside safety kind of close on Tyreek to the point where it kind of felt like I was hoping that would happen.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

Just so I go and do my own things.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

He wanted to go a little rogue and show everybody he knew what was going.

[Travis Kelce]

Coach Reed knows not to. Not to put me in that situation ever again.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I appreciate you doing that.

[Travis Kelce]

The funniest part is Alex Smith comes running over to me and I'm just like. I can't even look Coach Reed in the face. He's like, don't worry about it. It was like a punt. I was like, it was second down. It was second down.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, we don't want to be playing like second down. Yeah, no.

[Travis Kelce]

You guys got us that day.

[Jason Kelsey]

Let me ask you, this other thing that Travis is known for is laterals out of nowhere. Do you think that's an underutilized offensive tool? Is that difficult for defenses to defend?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

No question. But I'm not sure I'd want anybody other than Travis doing it because that's a, that's a tricky deal. From when I see it, I get. When you're doing it, Travis, I go, yeah, everybody talks. That's all good. That's all good. But no, that's a for, For Nike. I watch these guys do it in practice all the time. And I think, Travis, because the other guys now know that you're capable of that. They're. They're aware. They get around. I've watched that kind of develop while we've been here. It wasn't always like that. But then once they know that when 87 gets the ball in his hands, he can do something with it. And that, that was the one. That, the one. What was the one, Trav? We had that we were offside on.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, Baltimore. Oh, not Baltimore. Buffalo. Buffalo. Buffalo. It was Buffalo, I think two years ago.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

That was sweet. That, that was a sweet.

[Travis Kelce]

I got, I, I felt that it was man to man coverage and, and I just, I don't know what was. That was a bed. Now, that was the best throw of my NFL career right there. I threw that one about 30 yards.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Across the field, but that was awesome, man. We, I, I fig. We were in. We were good. That was, that was beautiful.

[Jason Kelsey]

It's like you're playing with Larry Birds. You gotta have your head on swivel, be ready for it. Right.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And Jason, going back to your point about, you know, practice now with Travis doing that in practice, I, because I think I see a little bit of that showing up from other people.

[Jason Kelsey]

Detroit did it a few times this year.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah. Since we do it in practice, that will help us defend it if it gets done against us, which I think is good.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

There you go. As someone that has done it, is throwing an NFL challenge fly flag fun? Because it just looks like it's gotta be a blast. Right?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well, running down and calling a timeout when you're not supposed to messed up doing last year, I'll tell you this because I was a head coach for three years. That's one of the, that, that's a pressure packed, tough thing to do and to put on Coach. I mean, listen, it's a You gotta, you gotta trust the person you got upstairs. Right. You gotta, if you can't see it, you gotta feel good. It's gotta. Because nobody really wants to throw that thing and have it get overturned and.

[Travis Kelce]

Every wide receiver is going to come over to you and tell you that they caught the ball.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Absolutely. Now, now I was so. And I, I had that happen when I was a head coach. Come running over and now I think it was my first year as a head coach, a rookie head coach. But if he say he caught it, he must have caught it. So if that goes out, it sure as incomplete. But they all want to say that.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thanks for the tip.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

But you know what, Travis, there are. Listen, I'm sure Coach Reed does this with you. There are certain guys, I'm sure on his offense that he trusts that. If they say I caught that and he didn't see it or they didn't see it, then I'll bet you he's throwing it because he just believes in, you know, somebody's not saying it just.

[Travis Kelce]

To say it and vice versa. I promise you I'm not going to be that guy that tells Coach Reed I caught the ball and he has to.

[Jason Kelsey]

No, you didn't question.

[Travis Kelce]

I'm going to be like coach, I'm not gonna lie. I have no idea. You're gonna have to go to somebody else on this.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

You're gonna have to ask phrase up there.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

But it's a chat. That's a tricky deal. It is.

[Jason Kelsey]

Do you have a favorite super bowl win of your four?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Oh, well, listen. Well, let's put it this way. So back when, when we won in 07 and that was, that was a great super bowl win. So it's the first. You know what I, you know what? I prayed that that wouldn't be. Be the most special moment in the NFL. And fortunately for me, other ones came because if that was the, if that was the peak, I mean at the time I was 47 years old, so I had a little bit more time in the league. But, but every time you win one, that one at that time. Right. Travel, that's the special one. I mean, and then. But they all sit. They all kind of, kind of rest on their own. Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

They have their own place for sure. I'm with you on that.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I will tell you this, Jason. The, the one when we beat the Eagles a couple years back.

[Jason Kelsey]

I know.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I will tell you this, Chase, I still was not happy because we get. You guys scored too many points. You know, you know how I am Travis, it's about not giving up points. So that. That kind of ate at me. Even though we won the game, you bought up being in a locker room.

[Jason Kelsey]

You bought up whenever mattered, though.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well, yeah, I mean, but thank God our offense scored as many points as they did.

[Jason Kelsey]

No doubt, man.

[Travis Kelce]

Man alive.

[Jason Kelsey]

We've had this conversation before. This is hotly debated on the Internet. As defensive coordinator, do you think the average person could get one yard in the NFL?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Just. He put somebody out there running, can.

[Jason Kelsey]

They get a yard?

[Travis Kelce]

Take somebody out of the front row and just throw them in there and see?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

And like, that guy's for real.

[Jason Kelsey]

Like, put some legitimate chops.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

No, I don't think I. Guys are too good. Too big, too fast, too strong. I mean, come on, you gotta know.

[Travis Kelce]

How to set up a block. You gotta know how to, like, there's so many. It's. Yeah, it's not as easy as these guys are making it, man.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Do you guys remember the show? Didn't they have pros versus Joe's show?

[Jason Kelsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Great show.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You guys ought to be on that. Jesse Armstead. You guys know who Jesse Armstead, linebacker in this league. Real good friend of mine. He's great. He's a University of Miami guy. He was on. I got the clip somewhere because when Jesse was with us in. In New York, I pulled it out, but he was on pros, Mr. Jones. And this guy came out this. I don't know who the dude was. He was in Jesse's face. And I'm gonna tell you what, man. Jesse Nick killed him.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

One shot. And I was like, holy cow. I thought that was a funny show. That was a pros versus shows.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, I love it.

[Travis Kelce]

No, that show was one of my favorites, man. Yeah, it's hard for guys to do that and, you know, I don't know, come back to play in the NFL. But that show was a blast. Hopefully. Hopefully they can remake that thing.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, I thought it was that one. I guess it went away. I haven't seen a while.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, I haven't seen it either.

[Travis Kelce]

Who was the toughest player you ever had to game plan for in your career?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Well, I mean, listen, Tom jumps out there. Yeah. Because he was Tom Brady. And we had some pretty good battles. But I will say this. These quarterbacks nowadays that run and pass and Travis, it seems like we see them every week. Do you know what I mean? To me, they're the. So if you've got. You got the quarterback that's smart and intelligent, can get you in and out of a bad play or a new good one that can throw the football and that can run it. And they're in this league. Yeah, there seem to be more and more. To me, that's the, that is simply the toughest challenge. You can take a. You can double a wide out. I mean, listen, if it's the running back and you want to over commit, you could take away a running back for certain periods. But when the quarterback can do all.

[Jason Kelsey]

Of that, that's what I always felt. And listen, I think Saquon deserves all the credit he can get. But I've, I've said this multiple times. When, when you have a running quarterback, it forces the defense to play it honest. They can't cheat to get those numbers. Numbers right.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

No question.

[Jason Kelsey]

Where are you going to give at? You got to be in some place where we're going to have leverage. And that has opened up so much for the Eagles and in my time there. And it's the same thing. It's happened across the league with Lamar. It's even Josh Allen. Like all these guys. Yeah, they're all doing it.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Patrick does it. Listen, when you third down, to me, I love third down. We take a lot of pride in third down. And to me, when you can win third down, you got a pretty good chance of keeping the points low. When you win third down on offense, you're going to score points. And when you add to defending on third down that the quarterback can pick it up with his legs for seven or eight, that makes it really hard because there's certain things you can't do and open up a lane for Josh Allen to take off and get eight or, you know, Jalen did it in the, in the Super Bowl. We had, I thought we had really good. You know, you get the perfect coverage, but he finds a pass rush lane and boom, he's the first out because he gets to what he's legs. Those are, those are the challenging guys.

[Travis Kelce]

Well, we always ask everybody that that's in the NFL this question. What was your welcome to the NFL moment?

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Ooh, welcome to the NFL moment. Okay, you ready for this one?

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I'm in Philadelphia as the quality control coach. The first year in 1999, we're in first OTAs, maybe it's the fourth, fifth or sixth practice, whatever. I'm the guy in charge of bringing the book out that has the cards, you know, so you could stand up there and show the offense what to do. Right. Well, at the time in Philadelphia, at the time, Jason, we were in veteran stadium vet And I practice the vet. And our offices and locker room was in the vet. But our practice fields, you had to drive or walk across the parking lot. So it was a quarter of a mile. And then the fields were out there and there was a little bubble there. Well, on this particular day, the quality control coach is supposed to have the book. When the whistle, the horn goes. And we're going to. Now we need the cut. I forgot the book.

[Travis Kelce]

Oh, no.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I'm in a flat out panic.

[Jason Kelsey]

Oh, no.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Because the book's all the way in the vet over there. And listen. And I remember it to this day. Jim Johnson was terrific. He's like, no big deal. He walked over to, like, the quarterback coach and said, listen, give us a little bit of this, give us a little bit of that. You know, he ran 10 plays. And then the offense goes now, right? Travel. They were up. So at that time, I was sprinting to go get that book. And I got back before the next period began. But that was what I. I thought my NFL career was done.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's amazing.

[Travis Kelce]

I would have been pure panic. I'm panicking right now just thinking about being honest.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I thought I had ruined the whole thing, but that. That one just kind of sticks out because it was early, but. But it was great.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's incredible, Coach.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelce]

92% is Coach Spags, baby.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Yeah, baby. You gu the best, man.

[Travis Kelce]

Thank you so much for the time, the stories.

[Jason Kelsey]

That was awesome, coach.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

I appreciate you guys asking me to do it. I really do. When I was your guy's age, I was dreaming about being on the Kelce Brothers show.

[Jason Kelsey]

It's too good.

[Travis Kelce]

You're the best, coach.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Always wanted to be on the Kelsey Brothers show.

[Travis Kelce]

A dream come true for all of us, big guy.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

Here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna go up right now and take another hour or two, Jason, to figure out how to stop whatever Coach Reed and Travis and Patric, they draw in the dirt trying to beat us in the ota. I love it.

[Jason Kelsey]

I love it.

[Travis Kelce]

You know it.

[Steve Spagnuolo]

You guys are the best, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

All righty. That wraps up another episode of New Heights. Make sure you're subscribed on YouTube to the new Heights channel and follow New Heights on the Wonder app or wherever you get your podcast. You can listen to new episodes of New Heights early and ad free right now by joining Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts.

[Travis Kelce]

Once again, New Heights is a Wondery show produced by Wave sports and entertainment and brought to you by Zillow. Download this app today. Follow the show on all social media at New height Show with one S thank you to our production and crew. Always making us look good and shout out to spags. Can't wait to run it up with you again this year man. Had so much fun with that one. 92 percenters appreciate you guys tuning in. Hopefully you guys enjoyed this bags episode.

[Jason Kelsey]

Peace. Thank you everyone.

[Travis Kelce]

Follow New Heights on the Wonder App or wherever you get your podcast. You can listen to New Heights early and ad free, plus enjoy exclusive episodes of the show by joining Wondry plus in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify today.

[Jason Kelsey]

Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short [e-mail].

[Sponsor]

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