Matt Nagy is back in the head coaching conversation, and the path forward is starting to take shape-but it’s going to come down to timing and opportunity.
After wrapping up his third season as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, Nagy is officially a free agent in the coaching market. And while his name has been in the mix for a few months now, especially with the Tennessee Titans, the situation is still fluid. The Titans were one of the first teams to part ways with their head coach this season, and that early start may give them an edge-but they’re not the only ones interested in reshaping their sideline leadership.
Tennessee has reportedly narrowed its search to three finalists: former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and Nagy. That’s a competitive group, and the Titans’ decision could be pivotal-not just for Nagy, but for the rest of the coaching carousel.
Other franchises have been doing their due diligence as well. Once the regular season ended, the coaching market kicked into high gear.
The Raiders reached out to Nagy after parting ways with Pete Carroll. The Cardinals did the same following Jonathan Gannon’s departure.
Even the Ravens reportedly considered him after moving on from John Harbaugh. That’s a lot of movement, and it’s created a fast-paced game of musical chairs across the league.
But while Nagy has drawn interest, the Titans appear to be his clearest shot at landing a head coaching gig this cycle. Other teams are eyeing different candidates.
Hafley, for instance, is rumored to be high on the Dolphins’ list after they moved on from Mike McDaniel. Stefanski, meanwhile, is said to be a top contender in Atlanta following the Falcons’ decision to part ways with Raheem Morris.
If those dominoes fall the way they’re trending, it could actually help Nagy. With Hafley and Stefanski potentially off the board, Tennessee may find itself leaning toward the former Bears head coach. And given that the Titans got a head start on their search, they may be in a position to act quickly-either to lock in their top choice before another team swoops in, or to avoid the optics of settling for whoever’s left.
For Nagy, that timing could be everything. His resume is a mixed bag-there were highs and lows during his tenure in Chicago-but his time in Kansas City has helped rehab his image, especially working alongside Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. That offensive pedigree still holds value, and teams looking for a fresh spark on that side of the ball are paying attention.
If Tennessee goes in another direction, though, Nagy may have to pivot. A lateral move-perhaps another offensive coordinator role-could be on the table as he positions himself for another shot next offseason.
But for now, all eyes are on the Titans. If they make their move soon, we’ll find out just how close Nagy is to leading an NFL team once again.