Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt is in the clear. The NFL announced Tuesday that its investigation into Merritt found no evidence of a personal conduct policy violation, a decision that follows a Kansas district court’s dismissal of misdemeanor domestic violence charges last month.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo broke the news on X, confirming the league has ended its probe without discipline. “The NFL concluded its investigation of #Chiefs DBs coach Dave Merritt and found insufficient evidence of a violation of the personal conduct policy, sources say,” Garafolo posted. “A Kansas district court dismissed misdemeanor DV charges last month. No discipline from the league as well.”
Merritt was arrested just before this year’s NFL Draft, but the charges never stuck. Now he returns to work with no league-imposed suspension or fine.
A Veteran Coach With a Ring Collection
This is a significant break for Kansas City. Merritt isn’t just any position coach — he’s widely respected as one of the NFL’s top defensive back specialists. Since joining the Chiefs in 2019, he’s helped the franchise win three Super Bowls. Add his earlier work with the New York Giants, where he earned two more rings, and you’re looking at a coach with five championship titles on his résumé.
Losing him would have created chaos in a secondary already undergoing a major overhaul.
New Faces in the Secondary
Merritt enters the 2026 season with a largely revamped unit. Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, two key contributors from recent years, signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Safety Bryan Cook left for the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. The Chiefs responded by drafting Mansoor Delane with the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft — their highest secondary selection in years.
Cornerback Nohl Williams, a 2025 third-round pick, is expected to step into a bigger role. Speaking on the Chiefs’ official YouTube channel, Williams acknowledged the challenge of replacing the departed veterans.
“Obviously, it’s sad to see them go, but they went to another great team,” Williams said. “And it gives me an opportunity to step up. Try to fill their shoes. And the whole room, really… the whole room’s got to step up. Because those are two good guys.”
Williams credited Watson and McDuffie for teaching him the professional approach. “(Those guys showed me) just how to watch film. How to play the scheme here, (and) how to work. How to practice, and how to be a pro. You just got to be intentional to the details.”
He added that his own game took a leap in 2025. “I saw a lot of growth in my play,” Williams said. “I got more confident in myself. Just gotta keep preparing.”
With Merritt’s legal and league issues in the rearview, Kansas City can now focus on molding that rebuilt secondary into a contender.
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