The Kansas City Chiefs appear to have little sense of urgency when it comes to filling the role of offensive coordinator. It seems that incumbent OC Matt Nagy is likely to depart this offseason, generating a lot of interest as a potential head coach. Despite this, the Chiefs haven't been connected to any big names and seem content simply waiting out the market at the position.
As the uncertain OC search continues, former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith appeared on "Up & Adams" this week to say that ex-QBs coach Mike Kafka might be the likeliest option to replace Nagy.
"Oh, I wouldn’t be shocked if they bring Kafka back. Andy (Reid) just rarely brings somebody outside his circle... In some ways, Kafka fits this so perfectly," Smith said. "He knows this Chiefs system so well, and I think he could bring in some outside ideas."
It makes a level of sense when you consider Reid's tendency to hire coordinators that he is familiar with working with. Kafka spent the 2017 to 2021 seasons with the Chiefs, working as a offensive quality coach, QBs coach, and passing game coordinator. The veteran coach then left to become a part of Brian Daboll's New York Giants staff, working as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
After Daboll was fired, Kafka was asked to step as the interim coach.
Bringing Kafka back to work with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense makes sense when you consider he was there at the start of the dynasty. His level is likely the tier the Chiefs are shopping in as well, making his potential return a legitimate possibility.
Mike Kafka Returning to the Chiefs Might Be Inevitable
Strengthening the case for Kafka's return is the fact that Mahomes put together a historic season when working with the coach. Kafka was Mahomes' quarterbacks coach in the 2018 season when the latter passed for 50 touchdowns and had 5,097 passing yards. While it is important to note that current Chicago Bears' running backs coach Eric Bieniemy was the OC and a possible hire as well, the Bears' season isn't over, making a reunion with Bieniemy a bit more difficult.
Bringing back Kafka might not excite Chiefs fans in the same way that many of the top names on the market might; however, he'd still be an obvious upgrade. Since Nagy has taken over the coordinator position, Mahomes hasn't consistently been his dominant self, and a once-fun offense has become predictable and plodding.
Kafka simply cannot be anything but an upgrade and brings the fresh perspective of remembering the Chiefs only as the dominating offensive force they were throughout his tenure. A reunion makes sense and allows a veteran coach to rebuild value while returning to the team that first established him as a clear coaching option.
For Mahomes, perhaps it will spark a bit of a resurgence to pair with Kafka once again. Regardless, this does appear to be the path we are walking down as the Chiefs continue to generate any headlines when it comes to potential offseason hires at the pivotal position.