The Kansas City Chiefs have been slow to make coaching changes following the completion of a 6-11 season, making it difficult for fans to figure out exactly how far-reaching any shifts might be for Andy Reid's staff going into 2026. However, some of the pieces are starting to come together a couple of weeks into the offseason.
The Chiefs fired Connor Embree as their wide receivers coach shortly after Week 18, creating one of the first openings on the offensive side. After three seasons in his post, Embree was finally fired for the unit's shortcomings, a move believed to be an obvious one for most fans following the team. On Monday, the Chiefs named his replacement with the hiring of veteran wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea.
O'Shea joins the Chiefs after serving as the Cleveland Browns wide receivers coach for the last six seasons. O'Shea was also the team's passing game coordinator under head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Browns are cleaning house this offseason, as Stefanski has gone on to accept a new head coaching position with the Cleveland Browns. O'Shea needed a new home and found one with Patrick Mahomes and company.
The Chiefs have officially replaced Connor Embree with his opposite, a veteran coach who has proven experience at the NFL level with winning teams.
For the Chiefs, the wide receiver position is one where coaching could make a very big difference with a new season. The team has a very clear belief in Rashee Rice to be a top 10 wide receiver in the NFL, per general manager Brett Veach, and the team also has first-round pick Xavier Worthy coming into the second half of his rookie deal. Both players had problems in 2025 with consistent production, and solid coaching (along with other changes) could yield much stronger dividends with a fresh season.
O'Shea actually predates Andy Reid in Kansas City since he got his NFL start with the team as a volunteer and assistant special teams coach back in 2003. He spent three seasons in K.C. under head coach Dick Vermeil's tutelage before finding work as an offensive assistant with the Minnesota Vikings. O'Shea is most known for serving as the New England Patriots receivers coach from 2009 to 2018, working with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick during the league' s most dominant dynasty ever.
Now the Chiefs are hoping O'Shea can help the Chiefs rebound to their winning ways following a disastrous season that watched them fall from preseason Super Bowl favorites, after appearing in the previous three championship games, to a third-place finish in the AFC West. It's part of a series of several staffing changes, with more to come. Just how many remains to be seen.