Jeff Pagliocca set out to build a likable free agency destination for 2025, and the big moves proved as much. The leading voice in Courtney Vandersloot, the new offense in veteran shooters, and more importantly, the player development coach of the 2x champions, Tyler Marsh. You could say it worked in part when Angel Reese admitted, “Me and -Kamilla [Cardoso] have gotten better throughout the year.” But the full picture isn’t looking good for the first-time head coach, and Reese’s words have perked up a few ears.

The Chicago Sky, a team that came in with a win-now mentality, is now in contention to be the worst team in the league alongside Connecticut and Dallas, with only 9 wins on the board. Sure, Reese and Cardoso have seen an uptick in their game, taking on more duties, but an early, season-ending injury to Vandersloot and a disappointing show by Atkins balanced all the progression out. So Reese knows the lineup won’t be anything similar, come the new season.

“I’m sure that all of us aren’t gonna be on this team next year together. So I know we’ll lose some teammates, have some trades happen, it’s part of the game,” she had said this past week. “So I just want to enjoy each other because I really did enjoy this team this year.” Her words pointed towards an uncertain future for her team, and the crew at WNBA on NBC is digging just a little bit more.

On their show, analysts Natalie Esquire and Terrika Foster-Brasby discussed what the 2026 season might look like for Chicago. “I love that like where she said, ‘I’m just going to enjoy it.’ I also thought it was noteworthy that she said, ‘We may not all be here,'” Esquire said, appreciating the six-foot-two center’s understanding of the business side of the league. However, the analyst wasn’t sure about what was next for the team. Was Tyler Marsh going to end up on the chopping block after the horrid season?

“Just my ears perked up a little bit because I do know things will look different. And I don’t know if that’s just players. I don’t know if that’s front office, if that’s coaching. Who knows?” Esquire added.

It’s a given that Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso will continue to remain the foundation for the team. The “Skyscrapers” were the only silver lining for Chicago this season, and the upside is too big to throw away. But everyone else? They’re fair game, including the coach, and maybe the front office, too. Heading into 2026, the team has no first-round picks, having traded them all to bring in Reese, Hailey Van Lith, and Ariel Atkins. But the moves haven’t translated and the Sky are in a difficult position, added on by the CBA free agency buzz.

But will Tyler Marsh really get replaced? Should Chicago look for someone better?

Chicago Sky HC Tyler Marsh’s chemistry with Angel Reese might be his saving grace

Although Tyler Marsh was welcomed with open arms at the start of this season, the loving embrace quickly turned into strangulation from Chi-Town fans. Although his predecessor, Teresa Weatherspoon, didn’t have an amazing showing in the 2024 season, she was still a fan favorite. But Angel Reese called Marsh’s arrival in Chicago a “W” and we were off to the races!

But you don’t need a microscope to see just how worried the Sky head coach is about his job security right now. After the surprising win against the Liberty a few days ago, Marsh addressed the media and let loose quite an interesting statement. “We want to go out on a high note, feeling good about where we are individually and as a team, not knowing what to expect going into next year with the way that the roster and free agency may fluctuate,” he said, hinting he wasn’t aware of what was coming next, either.

However, according to Natalie Esquire, firing Marsh would not be the best move. “I’m someone who personally believes their coach should not be changed again just because of the continuity,” she said to Foster-Brasby on WNBA on NBC. The analyst pointed out how the chemistry between Marsh and Reese, and the way the Chicago center has developed, is good enough of a reason to keep him on board. “Angel seems to really like him as her coach, you know, and people love to kind of talk about chemistry between them.”

But we’ll know nothing until the front office and management make their final decision in the next off-season. It will be interesting to see how the Chicago Sky team changes and evolves after this year’s nightmarish production. One thing is for certain: Angel Reese will continue on an upward trajectory, and we can’t wait to see it!