Tim Grunhard, former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman, joined Friday’s edition of GoJo and Golic to discuss the makeup of this Chiefs team and what stands out about them.
Each season, it seems like the Chiefs just find a way to WIN. However, this season’s team identity is very different from that of the Chiefs teams of the past. Grunhard joked that, according to national pundits, the Chiefs’ identity this season seems to be getting favorable penalties. But in reality, what sets this team apart is Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and Patrick Mahomes’ ability to close out games, Grunhard explained. Grunhard praised Spagnuolo for keeping opposing offenses off balance, making it tough for teams to pull away. The defense has consistently kept games close, which plays right into Mahomes’ competitive edge. He described Mahomes as the ultimate winner and the kind of quarterback who thrives in clutch moments. If you give him the ball with two or even one minute left, you can almost bet he’ll find a way to win. Another overlooked factor, Grunhard noted, is the stability of Kansas City’s coaching staff. Unlike most Super Bowl-winning teams that see their assistants get poached, the Chiefs have kept their core coaching staff intact. From Spagnuolo and Dave Toub to Matt Nagy and Andy Heck, these coaches have been together for years, developing strong chemistry with the players.
Despite the Chiefs’ success, the injury bug has taken a BIG bite out of their offensive lineman, so much so they had to shuffle bodies to ensure Patrick Mahomes protection. All-Pro guard Joe Thuney has had to move to left tackle, a position very different from playing in the interior of the offensive line. Grunhard discusses the complexities of the move from guard to tackle. He used a bowling analogy to describe Joe Thuney’s challenge of moving from guard to left tackle. He joked that if you’re bowling with bumpers, you’d probably have a pretty good game because those bumpers keep the ball from going in the gutter. Playing guard is similar; you have teammates on both sides to help, and they let you lean on them when needed. But there are no bumpers at tackle—you’re on your own. If your technique isn’t sharp, you’re throwing a gutter ball, letting a pass rusher blow by. Grunhard pointed out that length is key for tackles, especially on the left side, where hand placement and keeping defenders off your body are crucial. Thuney, despite lacking the ideal length and athleticism for the position, has thrived purely on grit, toughness, and fundamentals—which makes his transition even more impressive.
Although Chiefs’ teams have had turnover as far as player personnel, what has been consistent is the core of the Chiefs’ coaching staff. Grunhard finds it surprising that Steve Spagnuolo hasn’t gotten another shot at a head coaching job, especially since he seems interested in one. He pointed out that the Chiefs’ deep playoff runs may actually be working against their coaches—by the time teams are looking to hire, Spagnuolo, Matt Nagy, and Dave Toub are still busy preparing for the Super Bowl, leaving little time for serious interviews. Grunhard also believes Spagnuolo’s stint with the Rams may have hurt his reputation, with some labeling him as a defensive coach rather than a head coach candidate. But from being around him, Grunhard sees a leader who connects not just with defensive players but the entire team. He acknowledged that the NFL often favors younger coaches, with teams jumping at fresh, new faces in their 30s while more experienced candidates sometimes get overlooked. But in the end, he’s glad Kansas City’s staff has remained intact, given it’s been a significant factor in their sustained success.
Most of the talk around the Chiefs this season has been around the number of penalties that seem to go in the favor of Patrick Mahomes, so much so it has overshadowed how the Chiefs are on the verge of making history. Grunhard understands why people might be tired of hearing about the Chiefs’ success, comparing their current run to dynasties like the Patriots in the 2000s and Michael Jordan’s Bulls in the ‘90s. Just like how people claimed Jordan got every call, he says it’s no surprise that Patrick Mahomes seems to get favorable penalties. He acknowledged that Kansas City has benefited from some big calls in key moments this season, but he also pointed out that in previous years, they weren’t getting those breaks. As for the idea that the league is rigging things for the Chiefs, Grunhard pushed back with a bit of humor, claiming if the NFL really wanted to favor Kansas City, they would have done it when Lamar Hunt was alive, given that he helped create the Super Bowl yet only saw his team win it once under his ownership.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: Prepping For Super Bowl Week + The Justin Tucker Allegations + Cam Newton’s Championship Hypothetically
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
