Titans Officially Request Interview with Chiefs OC Matt Nagy for Head Coaching Vacancy
The Tennessee Titans have wasted no time kicking off their search for a new head coach. According to multiple league sources, the franchise has officially requested an interview with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The move signals a potential reunion that could reshape the future of the franchise in Nashville.
The news broke rapidly following the conclusion of the regular season. Jordan Schultz reported that the Titans requested to interview Nagy for the vacant position, noting the strong connection between Nagy and Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi. Ian Rapoport confirmed the report shortly after, stating that the Titans are “off and running” with the request. This swift action suggests that Nagy is not just a candidate to satisfy the Rooney Rule or fill out a list, but a primary target for a front office looking for stability.
The Borgonzi Connection
To understand why Nagy is a top target, you have to look at the relationship between the coach and the general manager. Mike Borgonzi, who recently took over the reins in Tennessee, spent significant time working alongside Nagy during their shared tenure in Kansas City. In the NFL, familiarity is a currency that holds immense value.
The Titans recently underwent a significant restructuring of their front office. Owner Amy Adams Strunk clarified the power dynamics, giving Borgonzi control over the roster and the coaching hire. The goal is to create a unified vision, something that was clearly lacking during the previous regime. Borgonzi knows how Nagy operates. He knows his offensive philosophy, his leadership style, and his personality. In a league where friction between the general manager and head coach can derail a season before it begins, hiring a known commodity like Nagy offers a layer of security.
Chiefs Matt Nagy’s Path to Redemption
This potential hiring brings a significant human element to the forefront. Nagy has been here before. His four-year run as the head coach of the Chicago Bears was a rollercoaster that ultimately ended in disappointment. He burst onto the scene in 2018, going 12-4 and winning NFL Coach of the Year honors while leading Chicago to the playoffs. However, the subsequent seasons painted a different picture. The Bears went 8-8 in back-to-back years before sliding to a 6-11 finish that resulted in his termination.
In the NFL, a firing can be a career-ender, but it can also be a learning experience. Nagy returned to Kansas City to work under Andy Reid, widely considered one of the best mentors in football history. There is a strong belief in league circles that Nagy has used this time to recalibrate and learn from the mistakes made in Chicago. The question now is whether he is ready to sit in the big chair again. The Titans seem willing to find out.
Casting a Wide Net
While Nagy is a headline name, he is not the only candidate the Titans are vetting. Reports indicate that the organization is casting a wide net. Other names linked to the vacancy include former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley, Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
This thorough approach is necessary. The franchise is reeling from the disastrous tenure of Brian Callahan. Callahan was fired mid-season after compiling a brutal 4-19 record. Perhaps most damning was the fact that the team secured only one home win in under two years. The fan base is frustrated, and the ownership knows they cannot afford another miss. They need a leader who can command the locker room immediately.
The Challenge Ahead in Nashville
Whoever takes the job will face a steep uphill battle. The AFC South is no longer the dormant division it once was. The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars all possess talented rosters and young quarterbacks. The Titans are currently looking up at all of them.
However, the job is not without its allure. The new coach will inherit Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2025. Developing Ward will be the primary directive for the next head coach. This makes an offensive-minded coach like Nagy an attractive option. His experience working with Patrick Mahomes, even if Mahomes is a generational talent, provides a blueprint for quarterback development that Tennessee desperately needs.
The interview process is expected to begin next week. For Nagy, it represents a chance at professional redemption. For the Titans, it is an opportunity to pair their new general manager with a partner he trusts to pull the franchise out of the cellar.
