Chiefs begin significant coaching staff overhaul after disappointing 6-11 season
In the NFL, job security is a myth often dispelled by the harsh reality of the scoreboard. Andy Reid currently stands as the longest-tenured head coach in the league, a testament to a decade of dominance and stability in Kansas City. Yet even Reid is not immune to the inevitable shifts that follow a season falling well below franchise standards.
The 2025 season will go down as the most difficult of the Patrick Mahomes era. Finishing with a 6-11 record and missing the playoffs has forced the organization to look inward. While the season-ending ACL injury to Mahomes was the primary narrative, the front office and Reid have signaled that injuries alone do not excuse the on-field product. As the offseason begins, the Chiefs are aggressively reshaping their coaching staff to ensure 2026 looks nothing like the year that just concluded.
Shakeup in the offensive position groups
The first dominoes to fall have centered on the offensive side of the ball, specifically within the skill positions. Sources confirmed this week that wide receivers coach Connor Embree has been relieved of his duties. This move addresses perhaps the most glaring weakness of the Chiefs’ 2025 campaign. Despite a roster that looked talented on paper, the receiving corps struggled mightily with dropped passes, route miscommunication and a general inability to create separation.
In the NFL, when a unit fails to meet expectations despite having talent, the position coach often bears the responsibility. The dismissal of Embree suggests the front office believes there was production left on the field that a new voice might be able to unlock.
The changes did not stop at wide receiver. Todd Pinkston is also no longer with the organization as the running backs coach. The run game struggled to find traction throughout the year, often failing to alleviate the pressure on the passing attack before and after the Mahomes injury. These two departures signal a clear desire to completely reboot the offensive instruction at the skill positions.
Defensive staff changes and departures
The restructuring extends beyond the offense. Defensive quality control coach Louie Addazio has departed the team to accept a position at UNLV. Additionally, assistant defensive line coach Alex Whittingham is leaving the staff. While quality control positions are often viewed as entry-level or developmental roles, they are vital for the week-to-week preparation and game-planning that Reid’s staff is known for.
These moves indicate a broader refreshment of the lower-level staff, bringing in new blood and potentially new ideas to a group that has been together for several years. It is a reminder that in a “win-now” league, stagnation is the enemy of progress.
Coordinators exploring head coaching opportunities
While Reid reshapes his position coaches, he also faces the potential loss of his top lieutenants to promotions elsewhere. Despite the team’s losing record, the league-wide respect for the Chiefs’ coaching tree remains high.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is actively interviewing for multiple head coaching vacancies. Reports indicate Spagnuolo is using the Chiefs’ playoff bye week to conduct virtual interviews with the New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. Spagnuolo has previous head coaching experience with the Rams and an interim stint with the Giants, but his recent work cementing the Kansas City defense has renewed interest in his leadership capabilities.
On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is also receiving interest. Nagy, the former Chicago Bears head coach, has been vocal about his desire for a second chance to lead a franchise. He has reportedly utilized “blind spot reports” anonymous feedback from peers and former coworkers to identify his weaknesses and improve as a leader.
Reid addressed the potential departures with his characteristic support. He noted that both coordinators deserve the opportunity to lead their own teams again and that the interest from other franchises validates the quality of the staff in Kansas City. However, losing either coordinator would add another layer of complexity to an already turbulent offseason.
The pressure of the Patrick Mahomes timeline
The urgency driving these moves is directly tied to the quarterback position. With Patrick Mahomes expected to return healthy for the 2026 season, the Chiefs cannot afford a rebuilding year. The window for winning Super Bowls is open as long as Mahomes is under center, but the 2025 season proved that his presence alone does not guarantee victory.
Reid was candid in his year-end assessment, noting that nobody in the building wants to experience a season like this again. The frustration is palpable. The organization is operating with the understanding that the roster must be maximized immediately upon Mahomes’ return.
The firing of Embree and Pinkston, combined with the potential exit of top coordinators, creates a high-stakes environment for Reid. He must thread the needle of replacing underperforming assistants while potentially filling massive voids at the coordinator level.
A pivotal offseason at Arrowhead
The coming weeks and months will be critical for the future of the Kansas City Chiefs. The team remains in unfamiliar territory, watching the postseason from home and drafting higher than they have in a decade.
For Andy Reid, the challenge is invigorating yet daunting. He must build a staff capable of restoring the discipline and explosive play-making ability that defined the Chiefs’ dynasty. The departures of Embree, Pinkston, Addazio and Whittingham are just the first steps in a comprehensive evaluation of why 2025 went wrong.
As the Chiefs look toward 2026, the message is clear. Past success does not grant immunity from change. The standard at Arrowhead remains championship contention, and the organization is willing to make difficult personnel decisions to ensure they climb back to the top of the mountain.
