Chiefs Coach Dave Merritt Arrested Before The NFL Draft

Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs received troubling news right in time for the start of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt, who has been on Reid's staff since 2019, was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery on Wednesday night. The complaint filed by the Johnson County District Attorney's Office states that Merritt was accused of "unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly" to a daughter.

"An Overland Park police officer arrested Merritt, 54, at about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday and he was booked into the Johnson County jail about 10:25 p.m. No bond has been set," the report from The Kansas City Star states. "Details of his arrest were not immediately available, said Officer John Lacy, a spokesman with the Overland Park Police Department."

Merritt is scheduled to appear in Johnson County District Court this Thursday afternoon.

The Chiefs are aware of Merritt's arrest but have not released a statement.

Chiefs could be quite busy this Thursday night.

The Chiefs own the No. 9 and No. 29 picks in the first round. General manager Brett Veach is expected to field a plethora of trade calls over the next 12 hours.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs could trade up for the No. 3 overall pick.

"The Saints, who are at eight, are interested in moving up in the draft -- the Chiefs at nine. Could that be for Arvell Reese if he's not the number two overall pick? Could that be for the top offensive tackle? Those both make sense for those teams," Pelissero said.

We'll see if the Chiefs add some defensive firepower to their roster.

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:24 AM.