Travis Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs could face huge blow with coach Matt Nagy linked to Tennessee Titans job

Just as the Kansas City Chiefs offense threatens to click into fifth gear, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is being linked with a departure from Arrowhead Stadium.

Nagy is among the contenders to replace Brian Callahan as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. 

Callahan became the first NFL coach to be fired on Monday with the Titans at 1-5 after Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

As of Monday night, Rapoport said that Nagy and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith are among the early contenders to head to Tennessee.

For the Chiefs, Nagy's potential departure would come just as wide receiver Rashee Rice is set to return to the team after a six-game suspension for his role in a Dallas car crash last year.

Nagy has a close relationship with Travis Kelce, too - Nagy was even a guest on his New Heights podcast earlier this year. And after a disappointing 2024 season, there are early signs that Kelce is on an upward trend this year in Nagy's offense - he recorded six receptions for 78 yards as they beat the Detroit Lions.

The Chiefs are 3-3 after Sunday night's win but many are expecting Patrick Mahomes and his men to add an extra dimension to their game when Rice, who tore his ACL last season, makes it back onto the field.

Nagy has been a head coach before, spending three years leading the Chicago Bears. 

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has said before that Nagy would be deserving of a second shot as the main man but losing him midseason would be nothing short of a disaster for Kansas City.

Even on Sunday night, after the Chiefs beat the Detroit Lions 30-17 at Arrowhead, Reid was quick to credit Nagy.

'I can’t say enough about Nagy and (Joe) Bleymaier (Chiefs passing coach),' Reid said. 'These guys that put that plan together just had some good stuff.'

Mahomes added: 'I thought our offensive line did a great job protecting and giving me time to evaluate stuff down the field. We’ve been able to distribute the ball and coach Reid and coach Nagy are calling great plays at the right time.'

As it stands, the Titans have appointed Mike McCoy as head coach on an interim basis following Callahan's departure. The Titans meet New England Patriots on Sunday, who are coached by Callahan's predecessor, Mike Vrabel.

One appealing factor for Nagy, or anyone interested in the Titans job, is rookie quarterback Cam Ward who the organization took with the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Such a key puzzle piece in place means that any incoming coach can start by building aroud the quarterback, although his disrupted first year with a change of coach is far from ideal.