The Kansas City Chiefs appear destined to part ways with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in the 2026 offseason. It is a welcome development for Chiefs fans who were plagued with the endless offensive headaches Nagy provided them with this season.
While it is surprising that Nagy is getting head coach interest, the Chiefs should welcome the chance at a fresh start. There is a clear need for coaching changes heading into the offseason after a dismal year that imploded long before quarterback Patrick Mahomes was lost to injury and the playoffs were off the table.
With this in mind, let's look at the best potential fits for the Chiefs to replace Nagy this offseason.
1. Eric Bieniemy; Bears RBs Coach
It is easy to argue that the simplest solution for the Chiefs' OC woes is looking to the past. Former OC Eric Bieniemy parted ways with Kansas City not due to performance, but a desire to seek out a fresh start. There was hope that if he moved to a new landing spot and performed at a high level, a legitimate head coaching opportunity would emerge. Instead, Bieniemy was put into a bad situation with the Washington Commanders, coaching the turnover-prone Sam Howell.
Going from Patrick Mahomes to Howell was an obvious downgrade, resulting in the coach being let go. From there Bieniemy moved to the college game for a season, spending a year with UCLA as an offensive coordinator before joining the Chicago Bears as the running backs coach. The veteran has helped put together an incredible season for the unit, as Bears RBs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai have combined for 1,816 yards and 14 touchdowns on 376 carries so far.
For comparison, that's more rushing yards (1,728) and almost as many TDs (15) as the Chiefs have as a team.
Bieniemy is exactly the voice in the room that Kansas City needs right now, a leader who isn't afraid to call out anyone demanding accountability. The former offensive coordinator coaches with aggression and urgency that is clearly lacking in the current staff, making a potential reunion welcome.
2. Brian Daboll; Ex-Giants Head Coach
If the Chiefs truly like the idea of familiar faces, the second-best choice is unquestionably former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll. After a failed tenure with the Giants, it seems the coach is going to be forced to return to an OC role, with no situation being more enticing than a chance to coach Mahomes. Already, Daboll has worked with an elite quarterback, helping engineer Josh Allen's breakout season as the Buffalo Bills' OC from 2018 to 2021.
Daboll might not be qualified for a head coaching role, going 20-40-1 in his tenure; however, there is no arguing against his qualifications as a coordinator. Under Daboll, the Bills had an incredible jump, going from the 23rd offense in scoring in 2019 to second in the NFL in 2020 (31.3 PPG). This illustrates just how vital Daboll was in Allen's ascendence and how he could help head coach Andy Reid's offense return to its previous dominance.
Yes, Daboll struggled as the Chiefs' OC in 2012, but that was a lifetime and a half ago. A lot has changed since then, and the 50-year-old Canadian-American deserves another crack at the role.
There needs to be a fresh perspective on offense that inspires a level of creativity. Daboll certainly fits that description, leaving time to tell if the Chiefs feel like they can trust him again.
3. Mike Shanahan; Indiana Offensive Coordinator
No, this isn't a reference to the former Denver Broncos head coach, but the current leader of the NCAA's unstoppable offense. The Indiana Hoosiers are fresh off a 38-3 blowout win over Alabama, a program that is often declared as the most respected in the sport. Regardless, there has been little chance of slowing down the Hoosiers' offense that is averaging 39.2 PPG this season. All of this paints an exciting picture for Shanahan, who will have a chance either at a head coaching interest or to jump to the next level.
Shanahan is only 35 and would bring some needed youth to an older coaching staff. Having the unknown step in and provide a fresh perspective could prove to be exactly what the Chiefs need. The fact that the 2026 season is likely a write-off is also the perfect opportunity to roll the dice on an unknown like Shanahan, who won't have to deal with the pressure of chasing a Super Bowl until at least 2027.
That makes him the exact type of risk the Chiefs need to be focused on taking in the offseason to help breathe life back into a struggling offense. What Shanahan has accomplished with Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza while helping guide the undefeated Hoosiers' offense is an undeniable qualifier, which should put him firmly on Reid and general manager Brett Veach's radar this offseason.