Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will hand over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy for the team’s game against the Jets today, as ESPN’s Chris Mortensen tweets. Reid will “continue to have oversight” of the play-calling, per Mortensen, which means that he will retain veto power over Nagy’s decisions.
Reid’s decision comes on the heels of a horrible stretch for Kansas City, which started the season 5-0 only to lose five of its next six. The Chiefs’ sputtering offense has been a big reason for its slide, and quarterback Alex Smith has experienced a precipitous drop-off in his quality of play after looking like a legitimate MVP candidate earlier in the season. Reid apparently decided enough is enough and is hoping a new voice in Smith’s ear will give him a bit of a boost.
As Mortensen observes (via Twitter), this is not the first time that Reid has done something like this, as he has temporarily ceded play-calling responsibilities to his offensive coordinators in both Philadelphia and Kansas City.
Even more interesting is Mortensen’s tweet concerning Smith himself. Although Reid has steadfastly supported his incumbent signal-caller — and just last week we heard that the Chiefs would only turn to rookie Patrick Mahomes this season if Smith were to get hurt — Mortensen suggests that, if Smith struggles against New York today, Mahomes could get the nod.
Nagy, of course, is a popular head-coaching candidate who could get his first chance to lead an NFL team this offseason.
Mahomes will not get the nod this season unless smith gets injured or throws for 3+ picks in a loss alex smith is a pretty good qb. Not elite but far from worthy of a benching The chiefs defense is terrible this year due to key injuries and that’s the reason for their struggles lately. They are in the playoff hunt and won’t turn to a raw rookie qb while a playoff spot is there’s for the taking
Andy play calling is innovative at the beginning of the season and then coaches not to lose instead of playing to win. Horrible clock management and call TO’s in the dumbest spots. He gets that lost in the headlights look. As an Eagles fan, I know it all too well.