The Kansas City Chiefs have begun the task of remaking their coaching staff following the conclusion of a disastrous 6-11 season and a steep fall from their annual perch atop the AFC. While further changes are likely coming, including the potential loss of one or more coordinators, the Chiefs are "moving on" from wide receivers coach Connor Embree.
NFL reporter Ian Rapoport broke the news on Wednesday night that Embree was out after seven seasons in Kansas City.
Embree has been the team's wide receivers coach since the 2023 campaign. He first joined the franchise back in 2019 as a defensive assistant and remained in that role for two seasons before becoming an offensive quality control coach for two more seasons before being handed a positional role.
When searching for answers for some of the offensive frustrations, it was easy to wonder what Embree was adding to the picture. Out of all of the coaches on the offensive staff, he felt like an obvious hot seat choice. The Chiefs have Todd Pinkston, a former NFL wide receiver with five seasons of experience with the Philadelphia Eagles (under Andy Reid's leadership), working with the running backs instead.
The Chiefs are moving "moving on" from wide receivers coach Connor Embree, a move that made plenty of sense given the situation.
Xavier Worthy's development as a former No. 1 overall pick also hit a snag in 2025, although that was certainly impeded by injuries suffered early in the season, including a torn labrum after running into Travis Kelce on the third play of the season. Still, Worthy's inability to make the leap forward after coming on strong during the last month of his rookie season was a major offensive frustration.
Other offensive changes are likely coming. Matt Nagy's contract is up after the 2025 season, and he seems ready to move on. Three teams are already calling with head coaching interviews, and even if he fails to land a promotion in that regard, a return to the offensive coordinator role feels like a stretch. Fans have called for fresh voices on Andy Reid's staff, and it seems as if there's internal agreement at Arrowhead.
With Embree out the door, the Chiefs have an opening at an important position that has been a source of frustration. Perhaps Pinkston swaps roles and takes over a position he played. Perhaps the Chiefs hire a coordinator who has someone in mind to bring on board with them. Either way, the dominoes have started to fall and changes are being made. That's going to provide at least some comfort for those who've been calling for the Chiefs to acknowledge that something was wrong.