Report: NFL will not discipline Chiefs DBs coach Dave Merritt

Field Level Media|published: Fri 12th June, 10:47 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

An NFL investigation into Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt did not turn up enough evidence to warrant league discipline, NFL Network reported Friday.

Merritt was arrested on April 23 and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery in a case involving a daughter. He entered a not guilty plea.

The coach initially was accused of "unlawfully, knowingly or recklessly" causing bodily harm to a daughter, whose age has not been confirmed.

The charges were dismissed without prejudice in a Kansas court in May.

"The DA's office looked at it a little more thoroughly and reviewed some additional information and agreed it was a matter that should be dismissed," Merritt's attorney, Ryan Ginie, told NFL Network after the charges were dismissed.

The NFL's investigation looked into whether Merritt, 54, violated the league's personal conduct policy.

Merritt had a brief NFL playing career in the mid-1990s before entering the coaching profession in 1997. He was hired by the Chiefs in 2019. One of his previous coaching stops was with the New York Giants (2004-17).

Between the Giants and the Chiefs, Merritt has been a part of five Super Bowl-winning teams.

--Field Level Media

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