With reports swirling that Matt Nagy is likely on his way out, the Kansas City Chiefs will soon need a new Chiefs offensive coordinator. Nagy\u2019s departure, whether for head-coaching opportunities with teams like the Titans and Ravens or a fresh start after his contract expired, signals a crucial offseason. The Chiefs\u2019 offense remains one of the most dynamic units in the league, but with Patrick Mahomes expected to miss most, if not all, of next season, this hire will dictate how Kansas City attacks the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at the top five candidates who could step into the role, each bringing the experience, creativity, and leadership necessary to keep the offense humming at a high level.<\/p>\n
That said, Kafka lands at #5 primarily because of his lack of success as the Giants\u2019 Offensive Coordinator and interim head coach. While he showed flashes in close games, inconsistent results, questionable decisions with rookie Jaxson Dart<\/a>, conservative play-calling, and unpopular locker room moves raised doubts about his ability to lead consistently. Some also questioned whether he could deliver the \u201cfresh start\u201d the Giants<\/a> were looking for, or if deeper organizational issues simply constrained him.<\/p>\n Still, Kafka embraced the challenge and worked to give players the best chance to succeed. While he may not have been the answer in New York<\/a>, he\u2019s a safe, knowledgeable candidate who could slide into Kansas City and help keep Mahomes\u2019 offense humming.<\/p>\n That familiarity is a huge plus, but there\u2019s a reason he sits at No. 4. As a head coach, Kingsbury struggled to close seasons strong. His teams often started hot but faded late: across nine seasons, first-half records hovered around .675<\/strong>, while second-half records plummeted to roughly .271.<\/strong> In Arizona, for example, the 2021 Cardinals started 7-0<\/strong> but lost four of their final five games. That trend repeated across multiple seasons in Arizona and at Texas Tech, and even showed in his stint with the Washington Commanders, where a top-three offense cooled off in the latter half of the season.<\/strong><\/p>\n Kingsbury\u2019s offense is innovative, and he can absolutely maximize talent, but questions about finishing games and sustaining success make him a riskier pick than others on this list. Still, his connection with Mahomes can\u2019t be ignored, and that familiarity could provide a spark if paired with the right support.<\/p>\n Joining the Chiefs would give McDaniel the chance to refine his craft under Andy Reid, one of the league\u2019s most respected offensive minds. Reid\u2019s structured system and mentorship could help McDaniel polish not only his play-calling but also his leadership style, turning him into the kind of \u201cplayer-coach\u201d that fits perfectly in the modern NFL.<\/p>\n That said, McDaniel isn\u2019t a guaranteed perfect fit. Questions linger about discipline and accountability from his tenure in Miami, and some critics worry his creativity sometimes outpaces consistent execution. But those are concerns he can address in a structured, winning environment like Kansas City.<\/p>\n McDaniel\u2019s ability to thrive in varied situations, whether balancing a run-heavy attack, keeping defenses guessing, or designing a game plan around Mahomes\u2019 strengths, is exactly what the Chiefs need. He can inject new ideas and energy into a system that already operates at an elite level while learning from one of the NFL\u2019s most accomplished coaches. For McDaniel, this is a chance to rebuild his reputation and prepare for another head-coaching opportunity. For the Chiefs, it\u2019s a chance to get a trusted play-caller with fresh ideas capable of keeping Mahomes at the top of his game.<\/p>\n Eric Bieniemy<\/a> has been waiting in the wings for years, and he knows this offense inside and out. His rapport with Mahomes and deep understanding of Andy Reid\u2019s system make him an obvious candidate for the Chiefs. He\u2019s currently excelling as Chicago\u2019s running backs coach, helping the Bears finish third in rushing while their offense hums under Caleb Williams<\/a>. While head coach Ben Johnson<\/a> deserves credit for Chicago\u2019s<\/a> success, Bieniemy clearly has a hand in it as well.<\/p>\n The concern, of course, is that this feels like a retread hire for Kansas City. Some fans worry he\u2019s just a \u201cproduct<\/strong>\u201d of the organization, a safe choice rather than a fresh voice. But that shouldn\u2019t overshadow his ability to execute and innovate in a familiar system. Bieniemy has earned the opportunity to show what he can truly do again as the Chiefs\u2019 offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n Daboll is the kind of coach who demands excellence, similar to what Eric Bieniemy brings, but with a fresh voice and a proven desire to eventually return to a head-coaching role. That combination could reignite accountability, push Mahomes and the skill players to their full potential, and restore the competitive spark that\u2019s been missing.<\/p>\n
Mike Kafka<\/a> has quietly impressed over his time in the NFL. He spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2017\u20132021<\/strong>), serving in roles from Offensive Quality Control to Quarterbacks Coach and Passing Game Coordinator, and was part of the staff that won Super Bowl LIV<\/a>. His work caught the league\u2019s attention so much that early in his tenure, the Chiefs and Andy Reid<\/a> blocked him from interviewing elsewhere. A rare sign of respect for a young coach. Known for his attention to detail and quarterback development, Kafka could provide a steady, safe hand, someone who complements Mahomes\u2019 talent without demanding a complete overhaul.<\/p>\n#4 Kliff Kingsbury<\/h3>\n
Kliff Kingsbury<\/a> does a lot of things right on the offensive side of the ball. He has a long history with Patrick Mahomes, going back to their time at Texas Tech<\/a>, where Kingsbury\u2019s Air Raid offense helped shape Mahomes into the prolific quarterback he is today. Their relationship remains strong, and Mahomes has often credited Kingsbury for letting him play freely and develop his game.<\/p>\n#3 Mike McDaniel<\/h3>\n
Mike McDaniel<\/a> has proven himself as one of the most creative offensive minds in the NFL. His time in Miami<\/a> showcased his ability to design both explosive passing schemes and effective rushing attacks, and he has a reputation for adapting his game plan to the players he has available. That creativity and flexibility make him a natural fit for a high-powered offense like Kansas City\u2019s.<\/p>\n#2 Eric Bieniemy<\/h3>\n
#1 Brian Daboll<\/h3>\n
Brian Daboll<\/a> sits at the top of this list because he has exactly the combination of qualities the Kansas City Chiefs need right now. He has previous head-coaching experience, knows how to develop young talent like Josh Allen<\/a> and, yes, even Jaxson Dart during his brief time in New York \u2014 and brings a personality that\u2019s different from Andy Reid\u2019s. That difference is actually a strength: Daboll can inject friction, tension, and pressure back into a locker room that, by many accounts, looked lifeless at times this past season. Fans even noted that after the Super Bowl loss, the team seemed to lose a bit of its edge, its sense of purpose.<\/p>\n