The Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory. For the first time since 2014, they’re watching the playoffs from home - and the frustration in Chiefs Kingdom is boiling over.
At the center of it all is offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, whose return to Kansas City in 2023 was initially met with optimism. Now, that optimism has turned into a full-blown reckoning.
Let’s be clear: this season didn’t unravel because of one person. But if you’re looking at where the cracks started to show, the offense - long the crown jewel of this dynasty - simply didn’t hold up its end of the bargain. And Nagy’s fingerprints are all over that regression.
Mahomes’ Worst Season Yet
Patrick Mahomes is still Patrick Mahomes - one of the most gifted quarterbacks the league has ever seen. But even the greats need structure, rhythm, and a game plan that plays to their strengths.
This year, that structure was missing. Mahomes posted career lows across the board: 22 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and an 89.6 passer rating.
That’s not just a dip - that’s a nosedive for a player of his caliber.
The eye test matched the numbers. The offense looked disjointed.
Routes weren’t crisp, timing was off, and Mahomes often looked like he was forcing plays that weren’t there. That’s not all on him.
A quarterback can only do so much when the scheme isn’t putting players in position to succeed.
The ACL Injury That Sealed It
Mahomes’ season-ending ACL injury came as the Chiefs were officially eliminated from playoff contention - a gut punch that felt symbolic of the year as a whole. The moment he went down, any lingering hopes of salvaging the season went with him.
It also marked a turning point in the public discourse around Nagy. Fans had been frustrated all year, but this was the final straw.
Social media lit up in the aftermath. Hashtags calling for Nagy’s job trended.
Fans pointed to the offense’s decline since his return three years ago. And while some argued that Nagy doesn’t call the plays - a nod to Andy Reid’s long-standing role as the primary play-caller - others pushed back, noting that coordinators are still instrumental in game planning, quarterback development, and situational design.
This isn’t a headset-wearing bystander role. It matters.
A Pattern That’s Hard to Ignore
Zoom out, and a pattern starts to emerge. Nagy’s offensive struggles didn’t start in Kansas City - they followed him from Chicago.
After a promising 2018 season with the Bears, where a dominant defense and a Pro Bowl year from Mitch Trubisky helped propel the team to the playoffs, things quickly unraveled. Nagy struggled to develop Trubisky, reportedly lost the locker room, and failed to adapt his offense as the league evolved.
By the time he pushed for Justin Fields in the draft, his seat was already scorching hot. The Bears moved on, and few questioned the decision. Now, with the Chiefs offense sputtering under his watch, that history is being revisited with fresh eyes.
The Super Bowl Mirage
Yes, Nagy returned to Kansas City in time for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run in 2023. But let’s be honest - that team was already a well-oiled machine.
Mahomes was in his prime, Travis Kelce was still dominating, and the offensive line was clicking. It’s hard to credit the new coordinator for simply stepping into a system that was already humming.
The real test came this season, when the offense needed a reset, a spark, a new wrinkle. Instead, it got stale.
Predictable. Frustrating.
And in the NFL, standing still is the same as falling behind.
What Comes Next?
Andy Reid is known for his loyalty, and that might be the only thing keeping Nagy in the building right now. But the pressure is mounting.
Chiefs fans aren’t just upset about missing the playoffs - they’re worried about what this means for Mahomes’ future. When you have a generational quarterback, every year matters.
You can’t afford to waste seasons figuring out if the offensive coordinator is up to the task.
This isn’t about scapegoating. It’s about accountability.
The Chiefs have built a culture of excellence, and when that standard slips, tough decisions have to follow. Whether Reid makes a change or not, one thing is clear: the offense needs a new direction.
Fast.
Because in Kansas City, just being good isn’t good enough. Not when you’ve seen greatness - and know exactly what it looks like when it’s gone.