So, you’re looking for the name. It’s Andy Reid.
Honestly, it feels weird to even ask who is the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs because Big Red has been the fixture at Arrowhead for so long. He’s basically the mayor of the city at this point. But with everything that happened over the last year—the injuries, the missed playoffs, the retirement rumors—it makes sense why people are double-checking.
Let’s be clear: Andy Reid is coming back for the 2026 season.
He’s 67 years old now, turning 68 in March, and he just survived a brutal 2025 campaign that saw the Chiefs finish 6-11. That’s a far cry from the Super Bowl glory days of just a couple of years ago. It was actually his first time missing the postseason in over a decade. Still, Reid told reporters on a Zoom call in late December that "if they'll have me back, I'll come back."
The State of the Kansas City Chiefs Coaching Staff
The 2026 season is going to look a lot different on the sidelines. While Reid is the anchor, the ship around him is leaking some major experience.
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Matt Nagy, the offensive coordinator, is pretty much out the door. He’s been interviewing with the Titans, Ravens, and Raiders. It looks like he’s a favorite for the Tennessee job. Then you have the defense. Steve Spagnuolo—the guy who helped win those three Super Bowls—is also drawing head-coaching interest. If Spags leaves, Reid loses his right-hand man on defense.
It's a lot of turnover.
Actually, the purge has already started. They fired the wide receivers coach, Connor Embree, and just let go of running backs coach Todd Pinkston. This isn't just a "business as usual" offseason. This is a complete teardown of the staff to find something that works while Patrick Mahomes recovers from that nasty ACL tear he suffered at the end of 2025.
Why Andy Reid Still Matters
Why does a guy who already has three rings and 307 career wins keep doing this?
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Mostly because he’s chasing history. Reid is currently fourth on the all-time NFL coaching wins list. He’s only 18 wins away from passing George Halas for third place. If he coaches out his current $100 million contract extension, which runs through 2029, he could realistically pass Bill Belichick and even Don Shula.
He’s the longest-tenured coach in the NFL now. After the Steelers let go of Mike Tomlin and the Ravens moved on from John Harbaugh recently, Reid is the last of the "old guard."
- Total Career Wins: 307 (as of January 2026)
- Super Bowl Titles: 3 (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
- Tenure with Chiefs: Entering Year 14
- Current Salary: Roughly $20 million per year
Can Reid Win Without the "Old" Mahomes?
The biggest hurdle for the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 isn't his age. It's the roster.
Patrick Mahomes is rehabbing a major knee injury. Travis Kelce is technically a free agent and hasn't committed to a 14th season yet. The team is currently facing a cap space nightmare—they are about $35 million over the limit for 2026.
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Reid has always been a guy who could "scheme" his way out of a talent deficit. He did it in Philadelphia for years. He did it with Alex Smith before Mahomes became a superstar. But 2026 is going to be his hardest test. He has to integrate a whole new group of assistant coaches while managing a quarterback who might not be 100% mobile by Week 1.
There’s some talk about whether the Chiefs would ever "trade" Reid, similar to what the Raiders did with Jon Gruden decades ago. It sounds crazy, but in the NFL, everything has a price. For now, Clark Hunt and the Chiefs ownership are sticking by their man.
What to Watch for Next
If you're following the team this spring, keep an eye on the coordinator hires. If Reid brings back a familiar face like Eric Bieniemy, it shows he’s trying to recapture the old magic. If he goes with a young "whiz kid," he’s trying to reinvent himself at 68.
Reid isn't just a coach; he’s the culture. Without him, the Chiefs are just another team in transition. With him, they at least have a puncher's chance to get back to the top of the AFC West.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Track the OC Hire: The new offensive coordinator will tell you everything about how the Chiefs plan to protect Mahomes' knee in 2026.
- Monitor the Cap: Watch for contract restructures for players like Chris Jones; the team needs to clear space just to sign their draft picks.
- Check the Health Updates: Mahomes' ACL/LCL rehab timeline is the most important "stat" of the 2026 offseason.