The Kansas City Chiefs are limping toward the end of a forgettable 2025 season, carrying a 6-10 record into their Week 18 finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
With superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes sidelined by an ACL injury and future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce widely expected to retire, the campaign has fallen far short of the dynasty-level expectations that have defined the franchise in recent years.
Beyond player personnel changes, Kansas City faces potential upheaval on the coaching staff, particularly at offensive coordinator, where Matt Nagy’s contract is expiring.
Insiders suggest Nagy could depart even without landing a head coaching position elsewhere.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero outlined several plausible paths for the coordinator this offseason.
“With offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s contract up, several scenarios are in play — including Nagy getting a head coaching job,” Rapoport and Pelissero said. “He’ll be among the top candidates, a rare one this cycle with experience and a background on offense. If he doesn’t get a head job, leaving to take over as a primary play-caller elsewhere is also possible.”
Should Nagy exit, the Chiefs might turn to a familiar name to stabilize the offense during a transitional period for Mahomes.
“In either case, the Chiefs could welcome back former Reid assistants such as Mike Kafka or Eric Bieniemy, both of whom could inject some new ideas from their previous places of employment while retaining some familiarity. In addition, a substantial roster reboot is also afoot, with the team significantly over the cap and coming off a rare disappointing season.”
While head coach Andy Reid retains final say on play-calling, many observers believe the offense operated at a higher level during Eric Bieniemy’s tenure as coordinator compared to Nagy’s three seasons.
During Bieniemy’s five years in the role, Mahomes posted superior averages: 303.3 passing yards, 2.4 touchdowns, and just 0.60 interceptions per game, alongside a stellar 106.2 passer rating. By contrast, under Nagy’s coordination, those figures have dipped to 254.3 yards, 1.6 touchdowns, and 0.78 interceptions per contest, with a passer rating of 91.9.
Bieniemy, though not the official play-caller, played a pivotal role in game planning, scripting opening drives, designing plays, and serving as the primary communicator with Mahomes on the sideline.
A return of Bieniemy or Kafka could provide continuity while introducing fresh perspectives gained from their time away from Kansas City.
The Chiefs’ challenges extend beyond coaching, as salary cap constraints and the need for roster overhaul loom large following this rare down year.
With Mahomes potentially entering his first season without Kelce as his reliable security blanket, offensive stability will be paramount.
As the front office evaluates options, bringing back a trusted voice from the franchise’s championship era could offer the comfort and creativity needed to jumpstart a rebound in 2026.
For a team accustomed to contending, the coming months represent a critical opportunity to address multiple weaknesses and restore the standard that has defined the Mahomes-Reid partnership.
