Safety Mike Edwards has rejoined the Kansas City Chiefs, and he attributes his return to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Edwards, who signed a one-year deal with Kansas City last week, said he’s kept in touch with Spagnuolo during the past year, during which he played for three different NFL teams. “I feel like he’s just a great, great coach,” Edwards said during a press conference Wednesday, “and he’s going to have everybody in the right spot where they need to be.” Add the 28-year-old Edwards back into the mix, as he rejoins the team after previously playing for Kansas City during the 2023 Super Bowl season. His role will change this time.
The Chiefs lost veteran Justin Reid to free agency, along with Jaden Hicks. Edwards will now be a veteran on the back end, joining three other outstanding safety still on rookie contracts: 25-year-old Bryan Cook, 24-year-old Chamarri Conner, and 22-year-old Jaden Hicks. Edwards, on the other hand, thinks he’ll be willing to stand up and take on leadership if the squad needs it. His confidence stems from the fact that he felt respected by teammates and coaches during his last stint with the Chiefs. “Trying to get on that role as best as I can,” Edwards said of his prospective leadership position. “So as soon as I get there, Day 1, I’ll try to take on that role for sure.”
Edwards was effective as a third safety in his prior season with the Chiefs. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games, including a late-season start after Cook suffered a season-ending injury. He had several memorable plays as well. Perhaps the most noteworthy came during a game against the Miami Dolphins in Germany, when Edwards scooped up a fumble by receiver Tyreek Hill and lateraled to teammate Cook while being tackled. The team-defense sequence eventually ended in Cook’s 59-yard touchdown return in the Chiefs’ 21-14 victory. Edwards had a turbulent last season. He signed a one-year offseason contract with the Buffalo Bills, momentarily joining the Tennessee Titans, and then moving on
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He appeared in eight games, starting two of them, and recorded 12 tackles and no interceptions. The experience, he said, made him appreciate his new opportunity with the Chiefs as he enters his sixth professional season. “I would just say it definitely humbles you,” Edwards remarked of the previous year. “You definitely have to stay humble, stay grounded and just appreciate what we’re gifted.” Spagnuolo is not the only Chiefs staff member who admires Edwards. This offseason, KC also hired Matt House as a senior defensive coach; House formerly served as Edwards’ defensive coordinator at Kentucky. 
Edwards described House as “one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever had in my life,” and in a 2021 social media post, the safety went so far as to add that he loved him “like a father.” “Coming back and having him coach me, that’ll be a good thing,” Edwards told the crowd. “We already had a great relationship, so with him and Spags and (defensive backs) coach (Dave) Merritt, I feel like it’ll be a great thing to have them coaching me.” The most exciting thing for Edwards, however, is getting back again with Spagnuolo. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound safety believed he fit well with Spagnuolo’s scheme because of his versatility.
It also helps that Edwards believes the Chiefs defensive coordinator knows how to play to each individual’s strengths. “Spags is a real creative guy,” Edwards said. “He’s a mastermind behind how all this works.” Though Edwards hadn’t talked with the Chiefs specifically about a role for next season, he was pleased the team reached out to him early in free agency. Now, he gets to return to a familiar place. “Whatever they want me to do, I’ll be ready for it,” Edwards said. “That’s all I can say.”
Leave a Reply