The Kansas City Chiefs entered Sunday knowing an important AFC West showdown against the Denver Broncos was their primary concern, as the franchise looks to jump teams in front of them in the standings.
Despite that, the chatter outside of the facility continues to be focused on just how many of the Chiefs' top assistants under head coach Andy Reid could be leaving the franchise this offseason. With head coaching vacancies already opening up around the league, rumors are spreading like wildfire, and the latest trip around the coaching carousel has both of Kansas City's top coordinators linked to the same job.
New Reporting Links Nagy, Spagnuolo to Giants Job Again on Sunday
During the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show, NFL Insider Jay Glazer reported that offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo are continuing to gain traction among the decision-makers in place who will be making the hire for the New York Giants. Joe Schoen, whom Glazer maintains is safe in his role as general manager in New York, has reportedly ruled out college coaches altogether. However, Schoen is open to several options when it comes to coaches currently working within the league.
"They're not going to have a coaching search that's going to span everywhere. They're not just going to open it up to everywhere possible," Glazer said, via FOX Sports.com. "There's been a million college names out there. I don't see them doing that. I think you can see guys like Mike McCarthy — if we're talking about offensive coaches — a guy like Matt Nagy, Arthur Smith, or someone who's had experience on the defensive side of the ball like Steve Spagnuolo or Lou Anarumo, who brings that presence also."
Glazer went on to note that Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator Chris Shula is a name that has been gaining steam of late. Given his longstanding relationship with Rams head coach Sean McVay, Shula has reportedly been allowed to do more within the confines of a McVay-coached team than any other member of McVay's coaching tree.
Chiefs fans are well aware of Reid's preference to allow his assistants, no matter how long they've been in their respective roles in Kansas City, to pursue jobs that advance their coaching careers. That trend will likely be tested this offseason as the potential seems real for not one, but both, of the top coordinators of the Chiefs' staff to be at the top of head coaching wish lists of the franchises in need of a new leader on the sidelines.
Whether it is the Giants or one of the other teams that will be looking for a head coach this offseason, Nagy and Spagnuolo will have their opportunities, if they want them. In the meantime, though, the coordinators continue to say all the right things. Their focus, as it should be, is on nothing but the Broncos. Whatever happens down the road will be dealt with when that time comes.