Matt Nagy Left on the Sidelines as NFL Coaching Carousel Comes to a Halt
The NFL’s annual game of coaching musical chairs has officially ended-and Matt Nagy is standing without a seat.
Once considered a strong contender for a head coaching return, Nagy now finds himself on the outside looking in. With the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals finalizing their hires-Klint Kubiak and Mike LaFleur, respectively-all 10 vacancies that opened up this offseason have been filled. And despite early momentum, Nagy’s name didn’t land on any of the final cards.
It’s a surprising twist for a coach who, not long ago, seemed poised to make a comeback. When the Tennessee Titans parted ways with Brian Callahan after Week 5, Nagy was widely viewed as the frontrunner.
The connection with Titans GM Mike Borgonzi, who worked with Nagy during their time in Kansas City, only added fuel to the fire. But that spark never caught.
The Titans took their time with the process and ultimately went in a different direction, hiring Robert Saleh instead.
From there, the opportunities started to slip away.
Nagy interviewed with the Raiders and was reportedly on the radar for the Cardinals and Ravens. But all three franchises moved forward with other candidates.
Baltimore chose former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, while the Cardinals and Raiders opted for younger offensive minds in LaFleur and Kubiak. Just like that, the doors began to close.
And it’s not just head coaching gigs that have dried up.
Even potential coordinator roles are becoming scarce. The Kansas City Chiefs, where Nagy served as offensive coordinator this past season, have already moved on, bringing back Eric Bieniemy to help lead a retooled offensive staff after a disappointing six-win campaign. The Philadelphia Eagles also considered Nagy for their OC position but ultimately hired Sean Mannion.
So now, a coach with two Super Bowl rings and prior head coaching experience in Chicago is left waiting. That’s not to say Nagy won’t find work-his résumé still carries weight around the league.
Teams brought him in for interviews for a reason. He’s respected, experienced, and known for his offensive mind.
A return in some capacity-whether as a coordinator, senior advisor, or assistant-feels inevitable.
Still, it’s hard to ignore how quickly the tide turned. From early favorite in Tennessee to watching every available seat get filled, Nagy’s offseason has been a roller coaster.
It’s a reminder of how volatile the NFL coaching cycle can be. Momentum can vanish in an instant, and even the most qualified candidates can find themselves on the outside when the dust settles.
For now, Nagy waits. The music has stopped.
The chairs are taken. But in this league, there’s always another round eventually-and someone with Nagy’s credentials won’t be waiting forever.