Coaching
The biggest elephant in the room is the coaching staff.
Fans always point to coaching when things go wrong, but this year, there are clear, specific reasons why:
- There is no accountability.
- No one “gets after” players for mistakes.
- There is no bark behind anyone’s bite.
Eric Bieniemy left the Chiefs after their Super Bowl LVII victory in 2022 to become the offensive coordinator for Washington. The next year, despite largely the same personnel, the Chiefs still won the Super Bowl, but cracks in the system became obvious. The team led the league in drops, struggled with red zone efficiency, and failed to convert sustained drives into touchdowns, dropping from second in points per game in 2022 to 15th in 2023.
The wide receiver group, with some experience, struggled to consistently get separation from defenders, particularly against man coverage. That forced Patrick Mahomes into a checkdown-heavy approach, reducing explosive plays downfield and lowering the average depth of target. Meanwhile, the run game was inconsistent and lacked explosiveness, making the offense one-dimensional and predictable.
In earlier years, Bieniemy brought fire, intensity, and accountability, even if some players didn’t like him. That edge mattered. It set standards. It created urgency and instilled a mix of fear and respect. Now? Who provides that? Andy Reid isn’t a screamer. Matt Nagy isn’t a screamer. No one in the room is. Without accountability, players slip on fundamentals. And without fundamentals, creativity means nothing.
The Chiefs’ offense has become predictable. Defenses know the staple plays. Trick plays aren’t surprising anymore. Formation manipulation doesn’t threaten opponents because they’ve seen it all before. After seven years in the spotlight, every move the Chiefs make is familiar to every team in the league.
Even legendary coaches need new voices, new ideas, and fresh perspectives. Reid, now in his 60s, isn’t outdated — but without enough internal challenge, even a Hall of Fame mind can get stuck in old patterns.
This staff needs a reset. Bringing in coaches outside the Reid system can reinvigorate the group. Steve Spagnuolo is a perfect example: Reid brought him in with no prior ties, and he became one of the best defensive minds on the team. New blood, fresh ideas, and accountability could do the same here and finally give this roster the leadership it needs to perform at its full potential.
Ultimately, the Chiefs’ struggles aren’t isolated to the roster or individual players. They’re a reflection of a system that lacks accountability, urgency, and leadership. Brett Veach can draft the right talent, but without coaches demanding excellence and holding players responsible, even the best roster won’t reach its potential. Coaching and roster construction must work hand-in-hand if the Chiefs want to stop masking problems with short-term fixes and start building a sustainable, championship-level team.
