Chiefs DBs coach Dave Merritt arrested, charged with domestic battery

Field Level Media|published: Thu 23rd April, 15:13 2026

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery on Wednesday night.

Merritt, 54, was arrested on Wednesday night and booked into the Johnson County jail, the Kansas City Star reported.

Per the report, the Johnson County District Attorney's Office filed a complaint and accused Merritt of "unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly" causing bodily harm to a daughter, which is the basis for domestic charges filed Thursday morning in Missouri.

A spokesman for the Chiefs told the Kansas City Star that the team is aware of Merritt's arrest and has no comment.

Merritt is due in court on Thursday, the same day as the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

He served as a defensive position coach with the New York Jets, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Chiefs in 2019.

A college linebacker, Merritt was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He also played with then-Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals during his brief career.

--Field Level Media