The Kansas City Chiefs are knee-deep in a pivotal offseason - one that’s already seen significant changes to the coaching staff after a 6-11 campaign that fell far short of expectations. For a franchise that’s been a perennial playoff presence, missing the postseason for the first time in over a decade has triggered a reset, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Andy Reid has wasted no time shaking things up. Eric Bieniemy is back in the building, this time as the offensive coordinator, replacing Matt Nagy, who’s now with the New York Giants.
Chad O’Shea has stepped in as the wide receivers coach after the team parted ways with Connor Embree. But one key position remains conspicuously unfilled: running backs coach.
That’s where Deland McCullough enters the picture - or at least, that’s where he was supposed to.
McCullough, who coached Kansas City’s running backs from 2018 to 2020, is a familiar face in Arrowhead. He spent the 2025 season in the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders, and when the Chiefs reportedly requested an interview a week ago, it looked like a reunion might be on the table.
Since then? Crickets.
No confirmation of an interview. No word on mutual interest.
No indication whether McCullough is even in the mix anymore. In a league where coaching moves usually unfold quickly - especially in the wake of widespread staff turnover - the silence is hard to ignore.
And this offseason, things are moving fast. Twenty-one teams are expected to have new offensive coordinators heading into 2026.
That kind of turnover sends ripples through the coaching ranks, creating a domino effect across position groups. Running backs coaches, in particular, are in flux.
With so many staffs in transition, the window to land top talent is shrinking by the day.
So why the holdup in Kansas City?
There’s a case to be made that the Chiefs are simply playing the long game here. They know McCullough well - his previous stint in KC was marked by steady development in the backfield, and he left on good terms. That familiarity might be enough for Reid and company to wait it out, especially if McCullough is weighing multiple opportunities or waiting for clarity from the Raiders' side.
Las Vegas, for their part, is still finalizing their coaching hierarchy. Klint Kubiak is expected to take over as head coach, but he’s still wrapping up duties with the Seattle Seahawks, who have one more massive game left on their schedule. That delay could be tying up decisions for assistants like McCullough, who may be in a holding pattern while the Raiders chart their course.
Interestingly, other Raiders coaches haven’t waited around. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has already accepted a job with the Steelers, suggesting that movement is happening - just not when it comes to McCullough. Whether that’s by design or circumstance remains unclear.
In the meantime, the Chiefs are left in limbo. It’s not that a running backs coach is a headline-grabbing hire, but it’s a critical role for a team that’s looking to get more out of its backfield. After a disappointing season on the ground, the Chiefs need fresh ideas and sharper execution in the run game - whether that comes from McCullough or someone else.
What’s clear is that Kansas City can’t afford to miss on this hire. With Bieniemy back calling plays and a new receivers coach in place, the offense is being retooled with intention. The running backs coach will be a key part of that puzzle, helping to shape a unit that’s been inconsistent and underwhelming.
So while the silence around McCullough is strange - and a little unsettling, given how quickly other teams are filling out their staffs - it doesn’t necessarily mean the Chiefs are adrift. It might just mean they’re being deliberate. Still, the longer this goes on, the more pressure there is to get it right.
Because after a season like 2025, there’s no room for missteps. And whoever ends up guiding the Chiefs’ running backs in 2026 will be tasked with helping this offense find its rhythm again - and helping Kansas City get back to where it believes it belongs.