The Kansas City Chiefs defense under Steve Spagnuolo has consistently proven challenging for San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, contributing to two Super Bowl losses. This Sunday, Shanahan and the 49ers will have another opportunity to face the Chiefs as they host them at Levi's Stadium.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Shanahan spoke about the unique challenge of going up against a Spagnuolo-led defense, noting that the Chiefs' defense has improved over time, and this year's unit may be their most imposing yet.
"I think it's gotten better and better each year," Shanahan said. "I thought last year was the best defense that we played all year and I feel that way this year so far. They've got guys who've been playing a long time together.
"They've been doing his scheme for a while. He's been doing his scheme for so long, but they continue to add to it. They continue to fine-tune it, and I've got a lot of respect for him and his scheme."
One of the 49ers' biggest obstacles is limiting the impact of Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones. Shanahan's offense has historically managed well against the now-retired Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams, one of the best ever to play the game. Still, Jones has presented a different kind of challenge.
It was Jones who pressured quarterback Brock Purdy on a crucial third down in Super Bowl LVIII, ending the 49ers' hopes of scoring a go-ahead touchdown in overtime.
When asked what makes Jones such a unique threat, Shanahan explained, "There are just different variables they do with their stuff. It's sometimes a little bit harder to eliminate him, where he goes, and just some of the pressures they do. But he definitely deserves that attention."
One player who had hoped to face Donald is standout rookie Dominick Puni, who grew up a Rams fan. Although he won't get the chance to compete against Donald, Puni is eager to face Jones.
"Obviously, I know how crazy of a challenge that (facing Donald) would have been, but to just kind of say you did it," Puni shared. "But Chris Jones, he's in that echelon, too—one of the best D-tackles, if not the best, in the league, so I'm excited for it. It'll be a great matchup and, hopefully, propel me for the rest of the season, too."
Jones has been having another impressive year, recording three sacks in five games. His 92.1 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus ranks fourth in the NFL, and his 28 pressures are the fifth-most in the league.
"He's as good a player as there is, and we try our hardest to take him out, but he makes that pretty hard," Shanahan concluded.
