Once heralded as the next offensive genius to study underneath head coach Andy Reid, Matt Nagy’s tenure with the Chicago Bears did not end the way that many would have hoped.
Now, after multiple seasons back as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff, Nagy is ready to learn from his previous head coaching experience if, or when, he gets another opportunity in the NFL. With rumors swirling about Reid’s future with the Chiefs after Super Bowl 58, could Nagy step in as the easy succession option?
Matt Nagy Discusses What He Learned From His Experience With the Bears
As members of the media were focused on the high-profile names at the podiums on the field of Allegiant Stadium on Super Bowl 58 Opening Night, the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator discussed with Pro Football Network the impact of what he learned and took away from his tenure as the Bears’ head coach.
“I wouldn’t change it for anything. I learned a lot… there’s things I did well, and there’s things I didn’t do well. I gotta use those to make me better.”
Nagy was Chicago’s head coach from 2018-2021 and was ultimately brought in by former general manager Ryan Pace to help shape and mold the raw — yet talented — Mitchell Trubisky after the team drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Chicago found success in Nagy’s first year as the coach, going 12-4 and making a playoff appearance as the top team in the NFC North, but the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious after the infamous missed field goal by Cody Parkey at the end of the Wild Card matchup sent the Bears on an early summer vacation.
After his time with Chicago came to an end, Nagy spent the 2022 season as a member of the Chiefs’ offensive staff, carrying the role of senior assistant and quarterbacks coach. In 2023, the former Kansas City offensive coordinator was once promoted again to the same role and has been a key part of the offense finding success with a balanced approach this year.
Numerous former head coaches choose to view their firing from a franchise in a negative light, but Nagy is choosing to focus on how he can take the experience and turn it into a positive.
“When — and if — the time comes that I get another opportunity, I feel like I’ll be better from it… If you can’t grow from it, you’ll fail. I’m gonna grow from it.”
As the team is focusing on this next matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58, there’s currently a cloud that’s hanging over the team: retirement rumors surrounding head coach Andy Reid.
While Reid has yet to provide any validity to these discussions, it wouldn’t surprise many if he ultimately chose to retire if Kansas City can secure its third Super Bowl in five seasons.
With every head coaching vacancy filled across the NFL after the Washington Commanders hired Dan Quinn last week, the Chiefs could be caught scrambling for a viable replacement for arguably one of the greatest head coaches of all time.
MORE: ‘Never Bet Against Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes’ — LeSean McCoy’s Pick
There will certainly be no shortage of suitors for the job that would entail leading QB Patrick Mahomes — including former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy — but Nagy would be viewed as a solid internal candidate given his experience working with Mahomes.
As Nagy alluded to on Monday evening, he’s ready to learn from his previous experience and grow from it. We’ll have to wait and see if he’s ever given the opportunity here in Kansas City, or if he’ll have to throw his hat into the ring in the coaching carousel next offseason.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!