Matt Nagy Back in the Spotlight as Chiefs Face Defining Offseason Decision Following Disappointing 2025 Campaign

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before Saturday night, Matt Nagy had last stood on an NFL sideline as a head coach during a playoff game exactly five years earlier, when he led the Chicago Bears into New Orleans for a Wild Card matchup.
That January 2021 contest ended in a 21–9 loss to the Saints, a defeat that would ultimately serve as a turning point for both Nagy and the Bears organization.
At the time, Chicago was a franchise searching for direction, stability, and identity.
Five years later, the Bears appear to have finally found those things under head coach Ben Johnson, while Nagy once again finds himself selling the idea that he can provide the same for another team.
From Chicago to Kansas City: A Career Full of Inflection Points
Nagy’s coaching résumé remains one of the most debated in the NFL.
He won NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2018.
He guided Chicago to multiple playoff appearances.
Yet his tenure also ended amid offensive stagnation, quarterback instability, and internal tension.
Now, as the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, Nagy finds himself at another crossroads — one that could shape not only his future, but also the trajectory of one of the league’s most accomplished franchises.
Baltimore Joins the List as Coaching Interest Grows
On Sunday, Nagy interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens, one of the league’s most consistently successful and structurally sound organizations.
The Ravens interview marked the fourth first-round interview for Nagy during this hiring cycle.
Earlier in the week, he met with:
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Tennessee Titans
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Las Vegas Raiders
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Arizona Cardinals
The interest confirms that, despite criticism and mixed results, Nagy remains highly respected in coaching circles.
League executives continue to view him as a leader capable of restoring offensive structure and organizational discipline.
A Turning Point for Kansas City and Andy Reid
Once Nagy completes his interview in Baltimore, the Chiefs will reach a moment of truth.
Head coach Andy Reid faces four realistic paths forward regarding his offensive staff.
Each carries different risks.
Each carries different consequences.
And none are without complication.

Scenario 1: Matt Nagy Leaves for Another Head Coaching Job
Nagy’s contract with Kansas City has expired.
If he secures a head-coaching role within the next three weeks, his tenure with the Chiefs will quietly come to an end.
From Nagy’s perspective, the appeal is obvious.
A head-coaching role restores authority, influence, and long-term career momentum.
From Kansas City’s perspective, the departure would open a necessary reset.
The Chiefs’ offense regressed significantly during the 2025 season, contributing to a stunning 6–11 finish.
That regression raised difficult questions about creativity, adaptability, and stagnation.
Scenario 2: Nagy Stays, But Reid Forces Change
If Nagy does not land a head-coaching job, Reid could still initiate a difficult but necessary conversation.
The message would be clear.
The offense needs fresh ideas.
New concepts.
Different voices.
While Reid remains one of the league’s most respected offensive minds, even he acknowledged that 2025 exposed systemic issues.
In this scenario, Nagy might choose to leave voluntarily, pursuing one of several offensive coordinator opportunities elsewhere.
Several of the eight teams with head-coach vacancies could offer him play-calling authority — a role he may find difficult to pass up.
A former Coach of the Year does not linger long without options.
Scenario 3: Nagy Returns on a New Contract
Despite outside noise, Reid showed no signs of panic following the season finale.
At 27 years into his head-coaching career, Reid is not prone to overreaction.
He did not suggest tearing down the offense.
He did not imply a philosophical overhaul.
Instead, Reid spoke more like a mechanic than a dealer.
A tune-up.
New tires.
Fresh oil.
Not a brand-new vehicle.
That approach suggests Nagy could return on a revised contract, with adjustments made around him rather than replacing him outright.
If so, continuity would be preserved — for better or worse.

Scenario 4: Promote From Within
If Nagy departs, Kansas City could turn inward.
One internal candidate stands out.
Joe Bleymaier, the Chiefs’ pass-game coordinator.
Bleymaier is known inside the building for his tireless preparation and deep understanding of Reid’s system.
His familiarity would ensure a seamless transition.
But familiarity is also the risk.
Recent NFL history has shown that internal promotions often lead to marginal gains at best.
Opposing defenses already know the Chiefs’ tendencies.
Promoting from within may simply maintain the status quo.
In a league that thrives on innovation, that is a dangerous gamble.
The Case for Looking Outside the Building
Reid has openly acknowledged that many external candidates would eagerly accept a chance to coach alongside Patrick Mahomes.
The opportunity is rare.
And the blueprint already exists.
Reid need only look at Nagy’s former franchise.
On Saturday, the Bears secured their first postseason win in 15 years, erasing a 21–3 deficit in dramatic fashion.
Quarterback Caleb Williams led the comeback with poise and confidence.
Chicago’s offensive resurgence did not come from familiarity.
It came from boldness.
Ben Johnson’s Defining Decision
When Johnson took over in Chicago, he had an easy path.
Hire someone he already trusted.
Someone from his own coaching tree.
Instead, Johnson went outside his comfort zone.
He hired Declan Doyle, a 29-year-old tight ends coach from Denver.
The move raised eyebrows.
It also paid dividends.
Innovation followed.
Energy followed.
Results followed.
That example is not lost on Reid.
Potential External Candidates
If Kansas City looks outside the building, several names immediately surface:
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Kliff Kingsbury
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Nate Scheelhaase
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Mike McDaniel (if circumstances ever aligned)
Each brings a different philosophy.
Each brings modern concepts.
Each brings the potential to reignite an offense that lost its edge in 2025.
Why This Matters to NFL Fans Everywhere
For fans across the league — including Pittsburgh Steelers supporters who value stability, culture, and clear leadership — Kansas City’s decision is instructive.
It highlights how even elite franchises must evolve.
It underscores how coaching decisions matter as much as roster talent.
And it proves that no organization, no matter how successful, is immune from recalibration.

Final Takeaway
Matt Nagy stands at the center of one of the NFL’s most intriguing offseason storylines.
Whether he leaves.
Returns.
Or triggers a broader philosophical shift.
The Chiefs’ next move will define their immediate future.
Andy Reid has four paths.
Each carries consequences.
But doing nothing is not one of them.
Because in the NFL, standing still is often the fastest way to fall behind.