Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was arrested Wednesday night and charged Thursday morning with misdemeanor domestic battery. Court documents obtained by the Kansas City Star indicate the Johnson County District Attorney's Office accused him of unlawfully causing bodily harm to a daughter. The team acknowledged the arrest but offered no further comment.
Dave Merritt, the Chiefs' secondary lead assistant since 2019, faces a court appearance Thursday afternoon following his arrest the previous evening. The complaint describes the incident as a domestic violence offense involving reckless or knowing bodily harm to a family member, specifically a daughter. Officials from the Johnson County District Attorney's Office filed the charge Thursday morning ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft preparations in Kansas City. The Chiefs, who have won five Super Bowls with Merritt on staff, confirmed awareness of the matter but declined to elaborate as they focus on roster needs. Merritt previously coached for nearly two decades with the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals before joining Kansas City. Last season, the Chiefs ranked 12th against the pass but managed only 10 interceptions, the second-lowest in his tenure. Merritt addressed the turnover issues late in 2025, saying, 'With the style of defense we play, a lot of times guys have their backs turned to the ball, to the quarterback, so it's not as easy to have picks. Overall, we've had some opportunities you'd wish you had back. Some of those tips and overthrows, you would love to capitalize on them. Definitely, we'd love to have more turnovers. We harp on that every week.' Kansas City holds first-round draft picks at Nos. 9 and 29, with expectations to select defensive backs.
