With reports swirling that Matt Nagy is likely on his way out, the Kansas City Chiefs will soon need a new Chiefs offensive coordinator. Nagy’s departure, whether for head-coaching opportunities with teams like the Titans and Ravens or a fresh start after his contract expired, signals a crucial offseason. The Chiefs’ offense remains one of the most dynamic units in the league, but with Patrick Mahomes expected to miss most, if not all, of next season, this hire will dictate how Kansas City attacks the 2026 season.

Here’s a look at the top five candidates who could step into the role, each bringing the experience, creativity, and leadership necessary to keep the offense humming at a high level.

#5 Mike Kafka


Mike Kafka has quietly impressed over his time in the NFL. He spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2017–2021), serving in roles from Offensive Quality Control to Quarterbacks Coach and Passing Game Coordinator, and was part of the staff that won Super Bowl LIV. His work caught the league’s attention so much that early in his tenure, the Chiefs and Andy Reid blocked him from interviewing elsewhere. A rare sign of respect for a young coach. Known for his attention to detail and quarterback development, Kafka could provide a steady, safe hand, someone who complements Mahomes’ talent without demanding a complete overhaul.

That said, Kafka lands at #5 primarily because of his lack of success as the Giants’ Offensive Coordinator and interim head coach. While he showed flashes in close games, inconsistent results, questionable decisions with rookie Jaxson Dart, conservative play-calling, and unpopular locker room moves raised doubts about his ability to lead consistently. Some also questioned whether he could deliver the “fresh start” the Giants were looking for, or if deeper organizational issues simply constrained him.

Still, Kafka embraced the challenge and worked to give players the best chance to succeed. While he may not have been the answer in New York, he’s a safe, knowledgeable candidate who could slide into Kansas City and help keep Mahomes’ offense humming.

#4 Kliff Kingsbury


Kliff Kingsbury does a lot of things right on the offensive side of the ball. He has a long history with Patrick Mahomes, going back to their time at Texas Tech, where Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense helped shape Mahomes into the prolific quarterback he is today. Their relationship remains strong, and Mahomes has often credited Kingsbury for letting him play freely and develop his game.

That familiarity is a huge plus, but there’s a reason he sits at No. 4. As a head coach, Kingsbury struggled to close seasons strong. His teams often started hot but faded late: across nine seasons, first-half records hovered around .675, while second-half records plummeted to roughly .271. In Arizona, for example, the 2021 Cardinals started 7-0 but lost four of their final five games. That trend repeated across multiple seasons in Arizona and at Texas Tech, and even showed in his stint with the Washington Commanders, where a top-three offense cooled off in the latter half of the season.

Kingsbury’s offense is innovative, and he can absolutely maximize talent, but questions about finishing games and sustaining success make him a riskier pick than others on this list. Still, his connection with Mahomes can’t be ignored, and that familiarity could provide a spark if paired with the right support.

#3 Mike McDaniel


Mike McDaniel has proven himself as one of the most creative offensive minds in the NFL. His time in Miami showcased his ability to design both explosive passing schemes and effective rushing attacks, and he has a reputation for adapting his game plan to the players he has available. That creativity and flexibility make him a natural fit for a high-powered offense like Kansas City’s.

Joining the Chiefs would give McDaniel the chance to refine his craft under Andy Reid, one of the league’s most respected offensive minds. Reid’s structured system and mentorship could help McDaniel polish not only his play-calling but also his leadership style, turning him into the kind of “player-coach” that fits perfectly in the modern NFL.

That said, McDaniel isn’t a guaranteed perfect fit. Questions linger about discipline and accountability from his tenure in Miami, and some critics worry his creativity sometimes outpaces consistent execution. But those are concerns he can address in a structured, winning environment like Kansas City.

McDaniel’s ability to thrive in varied situations, whether balancing a run-heavy attack, keeping defenses guessing, or designing a game plan around Mahomes’ strengths, is exactly what the Chiefs need. He can inject new ideas and energy into a system that already operates at an elite level while learning from one of the NFL’s most accomplished coaches. For McDaniel, this is a chance to rebuild his reputation and prepare for another head-coaching opportunity. For the Chiefs, it’s a chance to get a trusted play-caller with fresh ideas capable of keeping Mahomes at the top of his game.

#2 Eric Bieniemy

Eric Bieniemy has been waiting in the wings for years, and he knows this offense inside and out. His rapport with Mahomes and deep understanding of Andy Reid’s system make him an obvious candidate for the Chiefs. He’s currently excelling as Chicago’s running backs coach, helping the Bears finish third in rushing while their offense hums under Caleb Williams. While head coach Ben Johnson deserves credit for Chicago’s success, Bieniemy clearly has a hand in it as well.

The concern, of course, is that this feels like a retread hire for Kansas City. Some fans worry he’s just a “product” of the organization, a safe choice rather than a fresh voice. But that shouldn’t overshadow his ability to execute and innovate in a familiar system. Bieniemy has earned the opportunity to show what he can truly do again as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator.

#1 Brian Daboll


Brian Daboll sits at the top of this list because he has exactly the combination of qualities the Kansas City Chiefs need right now. He has previous head-coaching experience, knows how to develop young talent like Josh Allen and, yes, even Jaxson Dart during his brief time in New York — and brings a personality that’s different from Andy Reid’s. That difference is actually a strength: Daboll can inject friction, tension, and pressure back into a locker room that, by many accounts, looked lifeless at times this past season. Fans even noted that after the Super Bowl loss, the team seemed to lose a bit of its edge, its sense of purpose.

Daboll is the kind of coach who demands excellence, similar to what Eric Bieniemy brings, but with a fresh voice and a proven desire to eventually return to a head-coaching role. That combination could reignite accountability, push Mahomes and the skill players to their full potential, and restore the competitive spark that’s been missing.

On top of that, his track record as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator shows he can innovate while still working within a structured system. He developed Josh Allen into one of the league’s elite quarterbacks and consistently ran one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses. Even his stint as Giants head coach, while ultimately unsuccessful in wins, demonstrated his ability to lead, prepare a team, and manage the complexities of an NFL roster.

For the Chiefs, Daboll isn’t just a coach who can maintain Mahomes’ greatness.  He’s a coach who can challenge the team, inject new energy, and make sure this offense doesn’t just coast on past success. That’s why he sits at No. 1.

Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – Imagn Images