It’s a downright critical offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs, and the coaching staff is already experiencing some change. On the offensive side of the ball, wide receivers coach Connor Embree isn’t being retained in 2026-27. Coordinator Matt Nagy also has multiple interviews lined up with opposing clubs.
On the other end, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is also generating some buzz. Could a key member of his staff soon be on the move?
With the NFL playoffs arriving, one ineligible team is taking advantage of an early start to the offseason.
Chiefs DL Coach Joe Cullen Has Interview With Washington Commanders for DC Job
Per a Friday afternoon report from Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, defensive line coach Joe Cullen interviewed with the Washington Commanders for their coordinator opening.
“The #Commanders have interviewed #Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said,” Garafolo’s post on X began. “He is a long-time D-line guru and was previously the #Jaguars DC.”
This is the first time Cullen’s name has been mentioned nationally this cycle. Back in 2024, prior to Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City quietly inked him to a contract extension. The 58-year-old has been with the organization dating back to 2022.
Cullen’s lone stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars was his lone coordinator experience in the NFL. He has a background holding that role at the collegiate level, as well as nearly two decades in the NFL as a defensive line coach. In 2021, Jacksonville’s defense was 28th in points but 20th in yards and seventh in passing touchdowns allowed.
Washington could certainly use some help. Now-former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. isn’t being retained, and for valid reasons. During the regular season, the Commanders ranked 30th in points per drive and dead last in total yards. That, paired with a No. 30 run defense, put the writing on the wall. Change is needed, and they’re entertaining Cullen being the one to bring it.
Is Cullen a Viable Defensive Coordinator Candidate This Cycle?
Cullen’s blend of age and experience effectively makes him either a career defensive line coach or someone who’s ready for a jump. Considering he’s worked with notable names like John Harbaugh, Jack Del Rio, Urban Meyer, Rod Marinelli and Lovie Smith, there are plenty of legitimate ties outside of the Chiefs. It isn’t just Andy Reid and Spagnuolo who developed Cullen.
It’s worth documenting, though, how the Chiefs have fared on defense throughout Cullen’s four years in town. Below are Kansas City’s ranks for EPA per play, per pass, and per run from 2022-2025, per SumerSports:
- 2022: 15th, 13th, 20th
- 2023: 6th, 4th, 23rd
- 2024: 18th, 20th, 15th
- 2025: 12th, 15th, 10th
Back in October, All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones credited Cullen for the team’s early-season success in run defense.
“He’s our run game coordinator, and he’s been putting us in the right position to capitalize on the plays,” Jones said. “With your run game coordinator, they have to display the runs throughout the week for your aid. As you build that repetition throughout the week, you kind of know what’s coming. For us, familiarity in the game and we are able to be in our spots and capitalize on it.”
It’s become increasingly clear that Kansas City is a fan of Cullen’s. With that in mind, another NFL franchise is joining the club as well. As Washington’s search continues, it’ll be worth monitoring whether Cullen earns more opportunities to interview elsewhere.
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