The Kansas City Chiefs usually cruise through January with their staff untouched, especially after deep playoff runs. However, this year already feels different. First came the official split with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Now, almost immediately, AFC rivals are circling Andy Reid’s defensive room.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ravens have formally asked to interview Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen for their open defensive coordinator job.

Then again, Baltimore is not alone in this chase. Earlier this month on January 11, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reported that Cullen already sat down with Washington for their own coordinator opening.

The Ravens’ interest makes plenty of sense. Cullen spent five seasons in Baltimore from 2016 through 2020, and he knows that building inside and out. He understands how that locker room ticks, how the defense likes to attack, and how their front is supposed to control games. Pairing that familiarity with new head coach Jesse Minter could create a smooth working balance, especially with Minter calling plays and needing a steady second voice.

Still, Cullen’s resume is not spotless. His last shot as a defensive coordinator came in Jacksonville back in 2021, and that season tested everyone involved. The Jaguars finished 28th in scoring defense and landed 20th in total yards allowed.

At the same time, context matters. With the Chiefs, injuries hit hard across the defensive front. That reality puts a clear asterisk next to some numbers. Even so, the unit still finished 25th in total sacks, which showed effort, pressure, and a system that stayed aggressive despite missing pieces.

Meanwhile, Washington looks desperate for answers. They already moved on from Joe Whitt Jr., and the stats explain why. The Commanders ranked 30th in points per drive, dead last in total yards, and near the bottom against the run. Simply put, change is not optional in the nation’s capital. And if Cullen becomes that change, it further proves the point.

AFC rivals and beyond are not just watching the Chiefs anymore. They are actively trying to weaken the machine Andy Reid built.

Chiefs Announce Matt Nagy’s departure

On Friday, the Chiefs officially announced they are moving on from their offensive coordinator, ending a familiar chapter at Arrowhead Stadium. In a brief social media post, the organization thanked Matt Nagy for his time, making the split clear and final.

“Forever a Super Bowl champ. Thanks for everything, Coach Nagy!”

To put it in context, Nagy’s history with Kansas City runs deep. He first arrived as the quarterbacks coach from 2013 to 2015, then earned a promotion to offensive coordinator in 2016. Eventually, that path led him away in 2018 when he took the Bears head coaching job.

After his firing in 2021, he found his way back home in 2022 as a senior assistant and quarterbacks coach. Along the way, he helped the Chiefs lift two Lombardi trophies in Super Bowls LVII and LVIII.

More importantly, Nagy was a constant voice beside Patrick Mahomes during four years filled with MVP moments and championship pressure. So when the separation became official, Mahomes did not stay quiet.

“Thank you, coach, for everything!” Made me a better player and man!” he wrote on his Instagram story just hours after the announcement.

Meanwhile, Nagy’s future remains unsettled. He reportedly reached the final two for the Titans head coaching job before Tennessee chose Robert Saleh. He also interviewed for the Eagles offensive coordinator role, though that situation remains unresolved. With Andy Reid bringing Eric Bieniemy back into the mix, one era clearly closes, while Nagy now waits to see where the next door opens.