Trent McDuffie Shares Message Steve Spagnuolo Gave DBs at Super Bowl Halftime

There were plenty of big moments in the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, but here’s one that might go unnoticed.

Sunday night’s game was tied 16-16 at the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter when San Francisco got a third-and-5 from the Chiefs’ 35-yard line. Had the 49ers gotten a first down, they could have run down the clock to kick a game-winning field goal.

Instead, Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie blitzed and forced 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy into an incomplete pass. San Francisco kicked a field goal but the Chiefs had time to push for a field goal that forced overtime.

McDuffie said defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo called a blitz at the right time.

“Coach Spags has done what he needs to do and every time he blitzes me, I know it’s going to work,” McDuffie said. “I had a lot of confidence in him. I’m just happy I was able to help the back because I know it’s tough in cover zero.”

Cover zero is a man-to-man defense with no deep help, and as they have all season, the Chiefs defensive backs played well in those alignments on Sunday.

The 49ers converted just 25 percent of their third-down attempts in the Super Bowl. San Francisco had just 3 yards in the third quarter as the Chiefs took the lead after trailing by 10 yards in the first half.

McDuffie said Spagnuolo had a message for the defensive backs at halftime.

“Coach Spags made a big difference in the second half by telling us that he was going to rely on us a lot in one-on-one situations,” McDuffie said. “So I trusted my brothers, my technique and my self-belief. I think that’s the only way I’m going to be able to make those plays.”

McDuffie tied the team record with two quarterback hits in the win and led the Chiefs with three passes defended. That included one in the end zone.

The Chiefs’ defense allowed more than 24 points only once all season, and McDuffie was proud of the unit’s success.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of this defense,” said McDuffie, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Washington. “I mean, there’s no ego.

“Nobody has the mindset of a superstar. Everyone wants to play for each other. What a team and to be a part of such a project. I am very grateful.”