Kansas City Chiefs Rumors: After AFC Title Game Loss, Will KC Fire Bob Sutton?

Kansas City hosted its first ever AFC Championship Game on Sunday, but Chiefs fans left Arrowhead Stadium heartbroken after a 37-31 overtime loss to the New England Patriots. While some felt the NFL’s overtime rules were unfair to the Chiefs, others have speculated that the team will move on from longtime defensive coordinator Bob Sutton following the game.

NFL reporter Mike Garafolo reported on Monday that the Chiefs were, indeed, discussing making changes to the defensive coaching staff. Those changes could include firing Sutton, who has been the team’s defensive coordinator since Andy Reid was hired in 2013.

While the Chiefs have not made a decision yet, there remains a possibility they will get rid of Sutton and start fresh, according to Garafolo.

Firing Sutton has become an increasingly popular idea in Kansas City, as even Kansas City Star columnist Sam Mellinger has publicly called for Sutton’s firing this season. The Chiefs actually intercepted Tom Brady twice on Sunday, but still could not win after putting up 31 offensive points at home.

New England piled up 524 yards of offense and effortlessly converted several 3rd & long situations. They converted on 3rd & 10 three separate times on the game-winning drive in overtime alone. The Chiefs’ pass rush, which ranked first in the league in sacks, did not bring down Brady once in the game.

The Chiefs defense has been maligned all year, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed. Sutton was a successful coordinator for the Chiefs between 2013 and 2016, with the team ranking in the top 10 in points allowed in each of those seasons. However, they dropped to 15th in 2017 and 24th in 2018, while being seemingly unable to stop teams from running or passing all year.

Garafolo’s report suggests it will be up to Reid and general manager Brett Veach to decide if Sutton is to blame, or a lack of defensive talent on the roster. What should have been a talented secondary was obliterated in the offseason with the trade of Marcus Peters and the lengthy absence of Eric Berry, for example.