Matt Nagy Staying in Kansas City as Titans Choose Saleh: What It Means for the Chiefs' Offense
The Kansas City Chiefs are hanging onto their offensive coordinator - for now. Matt Nagy, who had been in the mix for the Tennessee Titans’ head coaching job, won’t be heading to Nashville after all. The Titans opted to hire Robert Saleh, the former 49ers defensive coordinator, leaving Nagy in place as the man tasked with revitalizing an offense that hasn’t looked quite like itself lately.
For Kansas City, this is a significant development - not just because they avoid another coaching search, but because the offensive identity of this team is still very much in flux. Nagy interviewed with the Titans over a week ago, and his potential departure sparked plenty of speculation about how the Chiefs would move forward. Now, with his return, the focus shifts to what comes next for an offense that’s been searching for answers.
Offensive Struggles Continue
Let’s be honest: the Chiefs' offense hasn’t been the juggernaut we’ve come to expect in recent years. In 2025, Kansas City averaged just 320.6 yards per game - good for 20th in the league. That’s a far cry from the high-octane, scoreboard-lighting unit that once made defensive coordinators lose sleep.
Even more concerning? This marks the second straight season the Chiefs have failed to crack 350 yards per game - something that hadn’t happened even once since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback.
The drop-off isn’t just a blip anymore. It’s a trend.
And while the Chiefs still managed to compete - thanks in large part to their defense and Mahomes’ ability to create something out of nothing - the offense hasn’t carried its weight. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that’s built its recent dynasty on explosive plays and offensive creativity.
Don’t Pin It All on Nagy
It’s easy to look at the numbers and point fingers at the offensive coordinator. But the reality is more layered.
The 2025 season was riddled with challenges - from injuries to key players to suspensions that disrupted continuity and rhythm. That kind of instability makes it tough for any play-caller to find a groove, let alone maintain the kind of elite production Kansas City fans are used to seeing.
That context is part of why Nagy remained a popular name in head coaching circles this offseason. Despite the offensive dip, his résumé still carries weight.
He’s been part of the Chiefs’ coaching fabric for years, originally joining the staff in 2013. After a head coaching stint in Chicago, he returned to Kansas City and helped guide the team to three Super Bowl appearances.
That kind of experience doesn’t go unnoticed.
What’s Next for Nagy and the Chiefs?
With the Titans job filled, Nagy is back in Kansas City - and the timing couldn’t be more critical. The Chiefs are staring down a pivotal offseason, one that could bring major changes on both sides of the ball. And with Mahomes expected to miss at least part of the 2026 season, the pressure on Nagy to stabilize and retool the offense is about to crank up even higher.
There are questions everywhere: Who steps up under center if Mahomes is sidelined? Can the offensive line get back to being the dominant unit it once was?
Will the wide receiver room finally find a consistent playmaker? These are the challenges Nagy will face head-on, and they’ll define how the Chiefs navigate the early part of next season.
But for now, the Chiefs get to keep a familiar face in a leadership role - someone who knows the system, understands the culture, and has been part of the organization’s biggest moments. That continuity matters, especially when the future feels uncertain.
The Chiefs may not be the offensive powerhouse they once were, but with Nagy staying put, they’ve taken a step toward stability. And in an offseason that promises plenty of change, that’s a win they’ll gladly take.