Despite rampant speculation from fans and media, Alex Smith will not be returning to the Kansas City Chiefs’ sideline. The buzz started in early January 2026, following a rough 6–11 season for the Chiefs. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade after star quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury. With current OC Matt Nagy interviewing for several head coaching jobs, fans and media began pointing to Smith as a perfect replacement.

“No, that would be, no, that would take a huge, no way,” Smith addressed these rumors directly during an appearance on the Up & Adams show. “No, it’s so hard. My kids I got 14, 12, and 9. Yeah, like you take that job, it’s like, see you in five years, you know? So zero percent. I love Matt, that’s my guy, I love Matt.”

After a standout 16-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington, Alex Smith has stayed active in the football world as an analyst for ESPN. Recently, he shared insights into the significant coaching changes facing his former team in Kansas City. 

After a disappointing season, Andy Reid’s Chiefs have already seen several assistants depart, including Alex Whittingham, Connor Embree, and Louie Addazio. The most notable potential exit, however, might be that of Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy, who has been interviewing for head coaching positions.

 Smith also had a message for Head Coach Andy. For Smith, Reid could likely look to his inner circle for a successor, naming New York Giants interim coach Mike Kafka as a strong candidate. Kafka previously spent five years on Reid’s staff and played a key role in developing Patrick Mahomes, making him a natural fit if the Chiefs need to fill the role.

The Chiefs need to decide as OC candidates are disappearing

‘The 2026 NFL coaching cycle has become a frantic scramble, with a domino effect threatening to leave some teams without a top candidate. Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy finds himself in an increasingly precarious position. While Nagy is actively interviewing for several head coaching vacancies, including roles with the Ravens, Raiders, and Cardinals, a wave of competition is blocking his path. 

In Tennessee, once considered his most likely landing spot due to his ties with the front office, the Titans have expanded their search to 17 other candidates, signaling stiff competition for Nagy. On the other side of the table is Andy Reid and the Chiefs, who are looking for a candidate for the team’s OC role. The hiring frenzy intensifies as the pool of elite offensive talent is rapidly shrinking. 

Matt Nagy’s contract with the Chiefs reportedly expired at season’s end, quietly pushing Kansas City into the market for a new offensive coordinator ahead of the 2026 campaign. Because Reid is waiting to see if Nagy will return, the Chiefs are at risk of missing out on “hot” candidates who are already being snapped up by proactive teams.

Recently, Nagy sat down with NFL on CBS to read an anonymous breakdown of his time as a coach in Kansas City. In the interview, he reflected on his current focus.

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“Right now, for me, the biggest thing as a coordinator right now in Kansas City is making sure that I’m doing everything I
can to empower our offensive staff,” the coach said. “Let the guys do what they can do and be great at it. So I have done that this year. I feel like the coaches have done a great job, and I’ve been able to empower them and delegate.”

Ultimately, this situation is about the cost of hesitation. The longer Nagy remains a candidate elsewhere, the more the Chiefs’ own future is held hostage. If Nagy isn’t hired as a head coach and returns to Kansas City, the status quo remains. However, if he leaves late in the process, Reid may find the position vacant. Whatever Reid decides, he needs to do it quickly.