Despite a 3-3 record, the Kansas City Chiefs appear to be everyone’s favorite to make their fourth straight Super Bowl appearance. However, they might have to deal with coaching rumors between now and then. With the Tennessee Titans being the first NFL team to make a head coaching change, one of the leading candidates for the job is likely on the Chiefs’ staff.
The Tennessee Titans wanted to get a head start on their future. After committing to draft Quarterback, Cam Ward, the organization thought they had a winner in former Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator, Brian Callahan. However, with a 1-5 record, they let their second-year head coach walk to get a jump on the hiring process.
For now, the Titans will rely on assistant coach Mike McCoy, who has been up for several head coaching jobs in the past, and will get his opportunity to become the permanent head coach.
However, Titans General Manager Mike Borganzi comes from the Brett Veach tree, and rumors have already suggested that current Chiefs OC Matt Nagy is high on the list to replace Callahan in Tennessee.
Nagy had an up-and-down tenure as the Chicago Bears’ Head Coach, but in three-plus seasons, he managed to lead the NFC North team to the playoffs on two occasions. His departure had more to do with a power struggle in Chicago than his performance.
Shortly after his departure, Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid asked him to be the team’s new offensive coordinator. With the team, parting ways with Eric Beiniemy, Nagy was the logical pick.
With other jobs likely to open in Miami, Cleveland, the New York Jets, the Saints, and the Cardinals, Nagy could afford to be choosy should he want back into the exclusive coaching club.
He will face stiff competition from potential candidates like Kliff Kingsbury —my personal choice to succeed Andy Reid when he retires —former Chiefs assistant coach Mike Kafka, and former Titans OC Arthur Smith.
Borganzi needs to find his own lane as the Titans’ General Manager, and I’m not sure how involved he was in the decision the organization made to hire Callahan. Now he’ll have a bigger role and find someone who could be the long-term solution on the sidelines.
It would make sense to hire someone from Andy Reid’s coaching tree and someone he worked with during his previous tenure in Kansas City.
