Spence entered the league as the 11th linebacker selected in the 2012 draft by Pittsburgh. A knee injury in the 2012 preseason limited his early development, but he eventually appeared in 53 NFL games, including 35 with the Steelers, recording 163 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and six sacks. His career also included time with the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts, and he rejoined Pittsburgh late in his playing years.
In 2023, Spence moved into coaching at Western Michigan and then the Senior Bowl, where he mentored players such as Nadame Tucker, who led the country in sacks and tackles for loss this season under Spence’s guidance. The Chargers’ hire would bring Spence back to the NFL in a full-time coaching capacity.
If confirmed, Spence will join a Chargers defense tasked with developing its inside linebacker group. The move adds a former player with multiple league stops and recent coaching experience at the college level, potentially contributing to the development of young playmakers on the Chargers’ roster.
