After his first NFL head coaching gig came to an end following the 2021 season, Matt Nagy returned to the Chiefs’ staff. The ex-Bears head coach has served as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator since the start of last year, and his work in that capacity could have him on the radar of another HC gig. 
Nagy “should be in the mix” for a second opportunity to be a head coach during the 2025 hiring cycle, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports. The 46-year-old served in that capacity for the Bears from 2018-21, winning Coach of the Year honors during his first season at the helm. The Bears went 12-4 that year, one which represented the high point of Nagy (and quarterback Mitch Trubisky‘s) time in Chicago. The team went 8-8 each of the following two campaigns, qualifying for the postseason once during that span.
The Bears lost in the wild-card round both times they made the playoffs under Nagy, and the 2021 season produced a record of just 6-11. He was fired and replaced by Matt Eberflus, who oversaw Chicago’s unsuccessful attempt to develop Justin Fields as a long-term answer at quarterback. Expectations are higher for Eberflus and Co. in 2024, the first year with Caleb Williams and an upgraded offensive skill-position corps in place. The Bears’ defense will play a key role in their ability to reach the playoffs, something which would ease doubts about Eberflus’ job security.
Regardless of how Chicago proceeds this offseason, a number of openings are sure to be in place. The Jets and Saints have made mid-season coaching changes, and while Jeff Ulbrich and Darren Rizzi will be eligible to be retained on a full-time basis, those teams will no doubt conduct outside searches as well. Once Black Monday comes and goes after the end of the regular season, more potential suitors will be in play to at least consider looking into Nagy.
“He does everything,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Nagy. “He sets up the offense. He coordinates the offense is what he does. And he’s so creative. I knew that when he was a quarterbacks coach, and I saw it when he was a coordinator, and then you saw it in Chicago as their head coach. And then he comes back here, and I want the best out of the guys. So with him you just cut him loose and let him go.”
2024 marks Nagy’s eighth total season on Reid’s staff with the Chiefs, and his third as OC. Of course, the fact he does not call plays is a factor which could work against his candidacy for a second head coaching gig, and other staffers with the same title (like Ben Johnson of the Lions) figure to once again be in high demand. Nevertheless, Nagy’s name could be one to watch over the coming months.