Mahomes Says Goodbye to Nagy, Reflects on Chiefs’ Struggles, and the NFL Coaching Carousel Keeps Spinning
As the Kansas City Chiefs begin reshaping their coaching staff, Patrick Mahomes took a moment to show his appreciation for one of the key voices in his development. With Matt Nagy officially parting ways with the Chiefs, Mahomes posted a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Thank you coach for everything!
Made me a better player and man!” He punctuated it with a saluting emoji - a simple but powerful sendoff for a coach who’s been part of Mahomes’ NFL journey since the early days.
Nagy’s departure marks another chapter in what’s been a season of transition - and frustration - for the Chiefs. And no one seems more aware of the team’s offensive struggles than Mahomes himself.
Let’s talk about the stat that turned heads: Mahomes finished 36th out of 38 qualifying quarterbacks in fourth-quarter completion percentage. That’s not a typo.
He ranked below college stars like Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, and even behind J.J. McCarthy and Spencer Rattler.
For a quarterback who’s built his legacy on late-game magic, that number is jarring.
So what happened?
Mahomes didn’t shy away from the tough questions. He pointed to the Texans game - a late-season matchup that felt like a microcosm of the Chiefs’ offensive issues.
The trick plays that once dazzled? Teams aren’t biting anymore.
“I think the one part of having so much success is teams watch a lot of film on you,” Mahomes said. “So we try to have good game plans of how to combat what (they) do and what (we’ve) done well. You saw that this year - teams were very conscious of the plays that we’ve hit for a long time.”
Translation: defenses have caught up. The Chiefs’ bag of tricks isn’t fooling anyone right now, and Mahomes knows it. That self-awareness - and his willingness to own it - is part of what makes him the leader Kansas City needs as they head into a critical offseason.
Ravens Eye Familiar Face for Defensive Staff
Meanwhile, over in Baltimore, the Ravens are looking to bolster their coaching staff with a familiar name: Joe Cullen. The team has requested to interview the Chiefs’ defensive line coach, who previously served in the same role for the Ravens from 2016 to 2020.
This move makes a lot of sense on paper. Cullen’s prior stint in Baltimore overlapped with new head coach Jesse Minter’s time on staff, and that existing rapport could be key as Minter steps into the top job for the first time. If the Ravens can land Cullen, they’d be adding a trusted voice to help maintain the defensive identity they’ve built - and give Minter a strong foundation as he starts assembling his offensive staff.
Remembering Frank Pitts, Super Bowl Champion
The football world also paused this week to remember Frank Pitts Jr., a former wide receiver who played a key role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV victory. Pitts passed away at the age of 82.
Pitts spent a decade in professional football, suiting up for the Chiefs, Browns, and Raiders from 1965 to 1974. But it was in Kansas City where he made his biggest mark.
In the Chiefs’ 23-7 win over the Vikings in Super Bowl IV, Pitts contributed both on the ground and through the air - three rushes for 37 yards and three catches for 33 yards. He was a versatile playmaker in an era that didn’t always reward flash, but Pitts brought plenty of it.
Bills Interview Philip Rivers for Head Coach Role
In a headline that might’ve seemed like a joke a few years ago, the Buffalo Bills interviewed Philip Rivers for their head coaching vacancy. Yes, that Philip Rivers - the longtime Chargers quarterback who’s now coaching high school football in Alabama.
Rivers has never coached at the college or pro level, but the Bills brought him in for a sit-down in Florida. It’s a bold move, especially considering Rivers hasn’t been in the NFL since a brief stint with the Colts in 2020. He did rejoin the team briefly in December after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles, starting three games in a season that ended without a playoff berth.
Interestingly, Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been involved in all of the team’s coaching interviews so far - a sign that Buffalo is taking a collaborative approach to its next hire.
Sam Darnold Ready for NFC Title Game
Out west, Sam Darnold is trending in the right direction ahead of the NFC Championship Game. The Seahawks quarterback was limited in practice all week, but he’s expected to play Sunday against the Rams.
“I feel really good,” Darnold said Friday. “Feeling really good this whole week. I feel like the process is going right along where it should be.”
Darnold injured his left side in practice last week but toughed it out in the divisional round, completing 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Drew Lock late in the game. Seattle cruised to a 41-6 win over the 49ers, and now Darnold looks ready to go as the Seahawks aim for a Super Bowl berth.
Chaos in Cleveland: Browns’ Coaching Search Turns Heads
And then there’s Cleveland, where the Browns’ head coaching search has taken a turn for the bizarre. According to multiple reports, candidates are being asked to complete a gauntlet of personality tests, questionnaires, and even written essays before they get to the interview stage.
That might explain why some coaches are reportedly backing out - including Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who declined an interview with the Browns.
It’s an unconventional approach, to say the least. Whether it leads to the right hire or just more dysfunction remains to be seen.
A Final Word from Eric Bieniemy
As coaching changes swirl across the league, one quote from former Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy still resonates.
“When it’s all said and done - like I tell our guys each and every week - ‘Let’s line up and play against the opponent.’ Because the Chiefs right now are kicking the Chiefs’ ass. Let’s go out and play against the opponent, give ourselves an opportunity, and then let’s see what happens.”
That line hits different now. The Chiefs have been their own worst enemy at times this season. But with Mahomes leading the charge and the front office reshuffling the coaching deck, Kansas City’s next chapter is already being written.