The New Orleans Saints need a new head coach, and one report indicates that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy could be in the running for the position. Originally making a name for himself with the Chiefs, Nagy spent years operating Kansas City’s offense with Alex Smith before departing to lead Mitchell Trubisky and the Chicago Bears. After four seasons in the Windy City, Nagy re-joined the Chiefs, serving as Patrick Mahomes’ quarterback coach in 2022 before reclaiming the offensive coordinator title in 2023.
After playing a pivotal role in Kansas City’s 2023 Super Bowl run and helping the offense overcome a series of injuries in 2024, reports across the league expect Nagy to receive head coaching interest again. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Saints are expected to interview Kansas City’s offensive coordinator before making their next hire.
REPORT: Saints Will Interview Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy For Head Coaching Vacancy
While he is currently with the Chiefs, Matt Nagy is best known for his time with the Chicago Bears. Once seen as one of the league’s up-and-coming offensive minds, Nagy became Chicago’s head coach in 2018 and started his career on a high note. Inheriting 2017 first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky, the coach guided the second-year quarterback to a 12-4 record and a Pro Bowl selection. While Chicago’s season ended with a disappointing missed kick in the NFC Wild Card round, the future appeared bright for the franchise and Nagy received Coach of the Year honors for turning around the Bears.
Unfortunately, Nagy and company never recaptured the magic of that 2018 campaign. Trubisky regressed in a major way and the team finished with a 16-16 record over the next two seasons. The Bears parted ways with Trubisky following the season and selected Ohio State’s Justin Fields in 2021. Unfortunately, that was too little, too late, as Chicago fired Nagy after an underwhelming 6-11 season.
Nagy didn’t work out in Chicago, but he could earn a second chance. Winning games without a franchise quarterback is next to impossible, and while the jury is still out on Justin Fields, Trubisky’s failures away from Chicago show that Nagy was not responsible for his lackluster production. He won’t be on the top of anyone’s wishlist, but he could be a decent second or third choice for teams who miss out on Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel. The only question is whether the Saints are willing to trust someone unfamiliar or fall back on a familiar face.
Who Will They Hire
While Matt Nagy is in the running, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn should be the favorite for the job. A former Saints assistant, Glenn followed Dan Campbell to Detroit and never looked back. Playing a pivotal role in transforming the Lions from a lovable loser into a legitimate Super Bowl contender, he should receive head coaching interviews across the league.
Seeing as General Manager Mickey Loomis will likely lead the head coaching search, it’s safe to assume Glenn will probably get the job. Loomis likes working with familiar faces, which isn’t always the best strategy. His fear of the unknown is probably why Dennis Allen returned for a third season, but perhaps Glenn can be a good hire. However, if Nagy impresses in the interview, perhaps Loomis moves in a different direction and takes the Chiefs offensive coordinator.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – USA Today Sports
The post REPORT: Saints Targeting Chiefs For Head Coaching Vacancy appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.