Chiefs Set to Make Coaching Decision After Double Request

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Jan 5, 2026 2:32 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs finished the 2025 regular season with a losing record, ending at 6–11 and failing to qualify for the playoffs, a sharp drop for a franchise that entered the year as Super Bowl runner-up.

Kansas City’s offense produced only 362 total points (21.3 points per game) while the defense allowed 328 (about 19.3 per game), and the season closed with a demoralizing 14–12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Those on-field struggles have rippled into the league’s coaching market. Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has been linked to the Tennessee Titans’ vacancy, with Nashville requesting an interview for Nagy, a former head coach with the Chicago Bears who has led the Chiefs' offense for the past three seasons, as they begin a formal search to replace former head coach Brian Callahan.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on the sidelines.© Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Not just Nagy — Titans Request to Interview Another Chiefs Coach

The story expanded further when NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reported that the Titans also requested permission to interview Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for the same head-coaching opening.

That request would put both a Chiefs offensive play-caller and the club’s defensive leader on Tennessee’s list of interview targets, a significant development that signals the Titans are weighing candidates from both sides of the ball and that Kansas City’s coaching staff could generate multiple external interviews.

Sources: The #Titans have requested to interview #Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo for their open HC position.

Tennessee now has requested both KC coordinators: Matt Nagy and Spagnuolo https://t.co/l347jzIIji pic.twitter.com/VOwUO1VCUf
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 5, 2026

The Titans’ requests include Nagy, Spagnuolo, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo among the early names the franchise has asked to interview. The presence of both Nagy and Spagnuolo on that list indicates a pending decision for the Chiefs coaching staff.

Teams commonly permit assistants to interview for head-coaching jobs when requested. Whether Kansas City will do so in a way that preserves continuity or encourages internal promotion will be among the front-office decisions facing general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid in the coming weeks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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