Fansided

5 replacements for Bob Sutton as Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator

By Brad Berreman

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 2, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 43-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 2, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 43-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Bob Sutton has been let go, so here are five candidates to be the next Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator.

The Kansas City Chiefs had one of the best offenses in the NFL this year, finishing first in total (425.6 yards per game) and scoring offense (35.3 points per game). But the other side of the ball was a lot worse, and on Tuesday defensive coordinator Bob Sutton was fired after six seasons.

The Chiefs tied for the league lead in sacks this year (52), and they ranked atop the league in quarterback hurries too. But otherwise Sutton’s unit was not good, finishing 31st in yardage allowed and 24th in points allowed. The Chiefs allowed over 40 points per game in their five losses, while allowing a league-record 419 first downs during the regular season.

In 2017, Kansas City was 28th in total defense and 15th in points allowed.

Beyond pass rushers Dee Ford, Chris Jones and Justin Houston, safety Eric Berry and cornerback Kendall Fuller, the Chiefs’ defense is a little talent deficient. That’s not Sutton’s fault, but a better scheme might have helped and failing to get off the field on third down during the AFC Championship Game (particularly on the winning drive in overtime) was the final straw.

The Chiefs almost made the Super Bowl anyway this year, so having even a middle of the road defense would set them up to take that final step next year.

It’s a desirable job in a lot of respects, and here are five candidates to be the next Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator.

Mandatory Credit: Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images /

5. John Fox

After being fired as head coach of the Chicago Bears, Fox has spent this season as an ESPN analyst. He was reportedly mulling offers after Chicago fired him, so he’d surely return to coaching if there were an opportunity out there.

Before his 17 seasons as a head coach for three teams, including two Super Bowl appearances, Fox was a fairly successful defensive coordinator for the Raiders and Giants. He fell behind the times as a head coach, sticking to old-school ways, but strictly as a defensive coordinator Andy Reid should have some interest in Fox.

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