In 2024, a pressure-heavy approach from Andy Reid’s team that produced pressure on 45 percent of snaps and ranked seventh among the NFL’s best slipped to 39 percent and fell to 22nd in the league, exposing a flaw that lingered all season. Therefore, after a disappointing 6-11 finish, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t waiting around for a rebound, as the head coach moves to address a statistical red flag, with a key hire on the defensive side of the ball.

The Kansas City front office confirmed the hiring of a new safeties coach, Andre Curtis, who previously held the same role with the Dallas Cowboys during the 2025 season. This hire came despite the team retaining defensive backs coach Dave Merritt. The Chiefs announced the move on X, sharing a post about the new signing.

“The newest addition to our defense’s staff. Welcome, Coach Curtis 🔐,” Chiefs official X account noted.

Curtis brings nearly 26 years of overall coaching experience, including 20 years in the NFL. The newest member of Andy Reid’s coaching staff played linebacker at Virginia Military Institute from 1996 to 1999 before transitioning into coaching after his college career. He got his first major break in the league in 2006, working under current Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

With the New York Giants, Steve Spagnuolo and Andre Curtis were part of the Super Bowl-winning team in 2008. When Spagnuolo was named head coach of the then-St. Louis Rams in 2009, he brought Curtis with him as the franchise’s defensive backs coach, a role Curtis held through 2011. The duo later moved to the New Orleans Saints, marking the last time they worked together before now. Since then, Curtis has spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys before reuniting with Spagnuolo in Kansas City.

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With Curtis on board, the Chiefs’ front office will hope the veteran defensive backs coach can help improve a secondary that allowed 3,487 total passing yards (roughly 301.5 per game), ranking 23rd in the league. However, Kansas City posted an 8.4 percent Defensive Passing DVOA, according to FTN Fantasy, suggesting the unit limited yardage but struggled with play-to-play consistency. The Chiefs also had trouble generating turnovers, finishing 21st in the league with just 10 interceptions during the 2025-26 season.

While the franchise has taken a major step toward improving its secondary, reports have also been circulating about the Chiefs’ front office moving forward with a significant financial decision involving star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Chiefs to restructure Mahomes’ contract for 4th straight season

The Kansas City Chiefs have restructured Patrick Mahomes‘ contract this week and created much-needed salary cap relief ahead of the 2026 season. The restructuring was first reported by Over the Cap, which revealed the franchise has converted $54.45 million of Mahomes’ 2026 salary into a signing bonus. This step has lowered the star quarterback’s salary cap number from $78.2 million to $34.65 million, freeing up more than $43 million in cap space.

It marks the fourth consecutive year that Kansas City has restructured Mahomes’ contract. As per his new deal, Patrick Mahomes will have an additional $11 million on the Chiefs’ salary cap each of the next four seasons, bringing his total cap number to $85.2 million for 2027.

Mahomes’ 2025 season ended on December 15 with an ACL and LCL injury against the Los Angeles Chargers. This injury capped off a season in which Patrick Mahomes had his lowest numbers across completion percentage (62.7 percent), total yards (3,587 yards), and touchdown passes (22).

As Mahomes continues his recovery, these financial moves and the hire of Andre Curtis will help Andy Reid and the Chiefs to jump back into Super Bowl contention with a solid roster and continue their dynastic reign after a dismal season.