The Kansas City Chiefs have had one of the best NFL offenses for years with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid. Now weighed down by one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL and poor play-calling, it’s time to begin considering alternative Chiefs coordinator candidates in 2024 to replace Matty Nagy.
Kansas City’s defense is playing at a championship-caliber level right now, but that won’t last for long. With Chris Jones expected to depart in NFL free agency next spring, this unit will take a step back. To make matters worse, Travis Kelce has already proven he’s regressing as Father Time catches up to him.
There’s no more margin for error regarding the Chiefs’ offense. Rashee Rice is a promising talent, but Kansas City needs someone who can get more out of this offense. While adding more offensive weapons needs to be the first priority, replacing Nagy might also be necessary.
Let’s dive into our Chiefs offensive coordinator candidates for 2024.
3 Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator candidates
Eric Bieniemy, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
Kansas City certainly wanted to keep Eric Bieniemy around in 2023, but he had something to prove after being denied for NFL head-coaching jobs for years, the veteran offensive coordinator wanted to prove he could deliver success away from Mahomes and Reid. Bieniemy has had very little to work with in Washington, but he’s made the Commanders’ offense better than it was before his arrival.
Related: NFL GM believes Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is ‘almost done’
| Year | PPG | Yards per Play | 3rd Down Rate | Red Zone TD Rate |
| 2022 | 18.9 | 4.9 | 35.2% | 51.06% |
| 2023 | 20.6 | 5.1 | 36.6% | 64.4% |
There’s also no denying that the Chiefs’ offense was better and more consistent with Bieniemy as offensive coordinator than it is under Nagy. Yes, Bieniemy has a reputation for being a hard-nosed coach who can be very critical and direct with his criticism of players. Frankly, it seems like the Chiefs need that right now.
With a new regime taking over in 2024, Bieniemy likely doesn’t have a future with the Washington Commanders anyway. If he can’t find a head-coaching gig this offseason, which seems to be the expected outcome, he might as well return to Kansas City.
Ken Dorsey, former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
The Buffalo Bills needed a change on offense, prompting the change from offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to play-caller Joe Brady. However, nearly two seasons at the helm of this Bills’ offense demonstrates that Dorsey has the chops to be an offensive coordinator for a Super Bowl contender.
- Buffalo Bills offense (2022): 94.6 QB rating, 2.2 passing touchdowns per game, 258.1 passing yards per game, 139.5 rushing yards per game, 50.2% third-down conversion rate
- Buffalo Bills offense 2023 (Wk 1-10): 95.8 QB rating, 1.9 passing touchdowns per game, 253.6 passing yards per game, 7.5 yards per attempt, 49.2% third-down conversion rate
Dorsey, like Reid, does have a history of relying heavily on the passing game. However, that can partially be attributed to the simple fact that Buffalo lacked any quality rushing options outside of Josh Allen until James Cook’s recent emergence this season. With Isiah Pacheco as his lead back in a Mahomes-led offense, Dorsey could be a great addition for Kansas City.
Zac Robinson, Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator
Our top Chiefs offensive coordinator candidates prioritize experience, but a new voice on the coaching staff might be needed. If Kansas City wants to take a small risk that could deliver massive rewards for their offense, Zac Robinson is a perfect target.
Robinson, age 37, didn’t have much of an NFL career as a quarterback. Yet, a few years after retiring, Sean McVay hired him as an assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019. He’s been in Los Angeles ever since, studying under McVay in the same way that Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, Shane Waldron and Kevin O’Connell have.
As for Robinson’s reputation around the NFL, it’s glowing. McVay gave him some play-calling opportunities in the preseason and Robinson fared well. Now, he’s viewed as one of the fastest-rising coaches in football and a top offensive coordinator candidate in 2024. A splash of McVay’s offensive ideology and that experience of learning how to make year-to-year adjustments schematically, make Robinson a high-upside target for the Chiefs’ offense.
