The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into a pivotal offseason, and while much of the attention has been on reshaping the offensive staff, there’s another intriguing possibility that could provide a long-term boost on the defensive side: bringing Tyrann Mathieu back into the fold-not as a player, but as a coach.
Mathieu, known affectionately as the “Honey Badger,” spent just three seasons in Kansas City from 2019 to 2021, but his impact during that stretch was nothing short of foundational. He wasn’t just a playmaker-he was a tone-setter, a field general in Steve Spagnuolo’s evolving defense, and a vocal leader whose presence helped shape a championship identity. Now, with the Chiefs in the midst of a staff evolution, the idea of Mathieu returning in a coaching capacity feels more than just sentimental-it’s strategic.
From his college days at LSU to his 12-year NFL career, Mathieu has always been a leader of men. He played with an edge, but more importantly, he played with intelligence and intention-traits that translate seamlessly to coaching.
Andy Reid recognized that leadership spark long ago, and when Mathieu retired in 2024, Reid made it clear just how much he valued his former safety. “The game will miss him, miss his energy-definitely an energy giver, a great leader,” Reid said.
And when asked about Mathieu’s coaching potential? “He’d be tremendous,” Reid added.
“Hopefully, he gets into coaching, because he’d be a heck of a coach if he decides to go that way.”
The Chiefs are already in the midst of a transition, with fresh faces coming in and longtime assistants potentially looking toward the next step. Dave Merritt, who’s been instrumental in developing Kansas City’s young secondary talent, has done tremendous work year after year.
But with two kids still in high school and a desire to stay rooted in Kansas City for now, there may come a time soon when Merritt is ready to take on a bigger role elsewhere. That creates a natural window for someone like Mathieu to step in and start learning the ropes.
And let’s not forget the bigger picture. Both Spagnuolo and Reid are seasoned veterans in the coaching game.
While they’re still at the top of their craft, there’s no denying the importance of grooming the next generation. Bringing in a young, respected voice like Mathieu-someone who knows the system, the culture, and the standard-could be a forward-thinking move that pays dividends down the line.
The Chiefs have already started injecting youth into the staff this offseason, hiring former Coastal Carolina defensive backs coach C.J. Cox as a quality control coach.
That’s a smart move. But adding someone like Mathieu, who brings championship credibility and locker room respect from day one, could elevate the staff in a different way.
He wouldn’t just be another young coach looking to prove himself-he’d be a former player whose voice would carry weight from the jump.
Mathieu himself has praised both Reid and Spagnuolo as the best coaches he’s ever played for, even dating back to his high school days. That kind of admiration suggests a strong mutual respect-and maybe even an open door, should the timing ever be right.
Of course, all of this hinges on one key factor: whether Mathieu wants to coach at all. He may be enjoying life after football and not ready to jump back into the grind. But if the fire still burns, if the game still calls to him, then Kansas City would be the perfect place to start that next chapter.
The Chiefs don’t need to overhaul their defensive identity-they’ve already built a winning formula. But adding a familiar face with proven leadership and a deep understanding of the culture could be the kind of move that sets up the next era of success. If Mathieu is ready, Kansas City should be ready to welcome him back-not just as a former player, but as a future coach.