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Former Chiefs DE Breeland Speaks led a wildly successful USFL & UFL career
Speaks kicked off his retirement video with a background on his football journey.
“We’re here to wrap up this career and call it a day, man,” Speaks said in his retirement video. “It’s been a long road, but we made it. Started playing football at Callaway High School in Jackson, Mississippi.
Went on to play at Ole Miss, got drafted in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs, won the Super Bowl with them in 2020 (Super Bowl LIV), and then went on to play for the Raiders and Cowboys later that same year.” Speaks never stuck in the NFL, but reinvented himself in the spring leagues. He first joined the USFL with the Michigan Panthers in 2023. That came after stops with the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Buffalo Bills. He recorded 7 total tackles, 3 sacks (league leading), and 1 forced fumble that season before leaving in August to join the San Francisco 49ers.
15 head-coaching candidates entering the 2026 NFL season | Pro Football Focus
Steve Spagnuolo, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator
Spagnuolo’s name has repeatedly been in contention for a head-coaching job, but it hasn’t materialized despite his legendary run in Kansas City. Nevertheless, he continues to lurk.
Although Spagnuolo’s seven-year tenure with the Chiefs has produced some subpar units, he’s guided the team to three straight top-14 finishes in success rate despite experiencing personnel change. Spagnuolo’s knack for developing hidden talent is his best weapon, as reflected in players such as Justin Reid, Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal and many more.
Spagnuolo’s coaching and unexpected blitz calls have played a direct role in the Chiefs winning three Super Bowls since 2019. The question is whether he’d want another shot in the main armchair at 66 years old, plus given his career 11-42 head-coaching record. Nevertheless, he drew interest from the Titans and Jets this offseason, and his name will always be a venerated one.
Former Chiefs starter just confirmed what everyone suspected about Eric Bieniemy | Arrowhead Addict
Take Isiah Pacheco. He spent four seasons at Arrowhead after being drafted in the seventh round in 2022. This spring, he accepted a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions as their new No. 2 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs. When asked about his new running backs coach, Tashard Choice, who is also in his first season in Detroit, at minicamp, Pacheco spoke about a leader who sounds a lot like Bieniemy.
“First and foremost, pinpointing the details in the work and coming out here and executing at a high level,” said Pacheco when asked about what he’s learning from Choice. “But most importantly, [it’s] not making the same mistake twice—coming out and being better from that mistake … the coach has pinpointed all the details at a high level. He loves the game. You can tell by his coaching. He’s determined.”
If you take the name off that quote, it could have run in any Chiefs story from this spring, because it’s the same thing that Chiefs players have been saying since the team brought Bieniemy back to replace Matt Nagy.
Can Chiefs Get Anything More From George Karlaftis in His Fifth Season? | Sports Illustrated
Karlaftis’ Strengths and Weaknesses
Although Karlaftis’ lack of a star ceiling leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many, he also possesses one of the higher floors for someone at his position. At his worst, he’s a capable accompaniment for Jones because of his nonstop motor and plus run defense. “Furious George” sets and maintains a quality edge and can slow-burn his way to pressure on the quarterback.
Speaking of which, some tracking data does reflect improvement from Karlaftis last season. According to NFL Pro, his pressure rate increased by 3.5%. Pro Football Focus also credited him with five more pressures than in 2024 despite him logging 84 fewer pass rush snaps.
Those numbers may be inflated, though, in the eyes of this writer. Karlaftis teed off on inferior competition early on. That’s reflected in the data, as the former outlet marked down 44 pressures before the Week 10 bye and 22 after it. The latter site’s totals were 38 and 19, respectively.
A hand injury caused Karlaftis to get surgery during that bye. That, paired with some more difficult matchups and a 6% decrease in average available snaps given post-bye, punctuated a roller coaster of a year.
Around the NFL
Which U.S. area has best NFL players? Eight teams, Cup winner | ESPN
So, inspired by the World Cup, I’ve gone through active NFL rosters and split the country into eight teams. Different areas naturally have unique styles of play that have evolved as a product of everything from local weather to the influence of the college teams in the area. Today, we’re going to see which of those eight teams can put together the best 30-man roster and win our totally made-up “Domestic Cup of American Football.”
Former NFL cornerback LeRoy Irvin, two-time All-Pro with Rams, dead at 68 | NFL.com
“Devastated to hear about the passing of my brother, teammate, and Rams legend Leroy Irvin,” Dickerson’s post read. “Leroy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy. Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation.”
A 1980 third-round selection out of Kansas, Irvin was recognized as an All-Pro returner in his second season after posting 615 punt return yards with three scores and a 13.4 yards-per-return average, all of which led the league. He also set a still-standing NFL single-game record in Week 6 of that season with 207 punt return yards against the Atlanta Falcons.
Brandon Aiyuk posts another video saying he’ll “be a Commander soon” | Pro Football Talk
For that to happen, he first needs to be released by the 49ers. They can, if they choose, release him from the reserve/left squad list. Otherwise, Aiyuk must petition the league office for reinstatement. If/when reinstated, Aiyuk needs to show up for training camp.
At that point, the 49ers likely would terminate his contract, in order to avoid the possibility of Aiyuk suffering while on the premises a season-ending injury. That would put the 49ers on the hook for more than $26 million in 2026 compensation.
There’s been no indication that Aiyuk has petitioned the league for reinstatement. He needs to do that soon, in order to set the stage for the 49ers to give him the freedom he presumes he will soon be getting.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
10 Biggest Chiefs Questions: Are linebackers still a team strong point?
Can the Chiefs’ linebackers continue as a strength of the team without Chenal?
Unfortunately, this offseason brought the departure of Chenal. Chenal had his limitations and will likely never be a good three-down linebacker. I can understand how the Chiefs arrived at the feeling that paying Chenal for a part-time role wasn’t the best use of their salary cap space.
However, I do think the Chiefs will lose an important skill set within their defense.
Most teams do not have three good linebackers, let alone one or two. The Chiefs’ defense was unique in its ability to match teams with its “Base” defense and still have good defenders, especially against the run. Chenal played a massive part in that. He was a chess piece that helped counter the opposing team’s run game.
Having the ability to play base defense was huge in the Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers and in the preceding win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. The only team that could truly exploit the Chiefs’ base defense was the Buffalo Bills, mainly due to quarterback Josh Allen’s impact in the run game. Against 30 other teams, having the ability to play base defense was a critical and unique asset.
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