Speculation over a potential return to Arrowhead came to a quick end this week as former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith confirmed he will not join the team in a coaching role.
Speaking on Kay Adams‘ Up & Adams show, Smith dismissed the idea outright, putting to rest rumors that the franchise might bring him back amid its ongoing offseason shakeup.
Smith, who earned lasting respect in Kansas City as a player before retiring and transitioning into a broadcast career with ESPN, made his stance clear in his conversation with Adams.
“No way,” he said when asked about the possibility of joining the Chiefs‘ coaching ranks. “No. It’s so hard, my kids. I got 14, 12, 9. You take that job, it’s like ‘see you in five years.’ You know, it’s hard… I love Matt, that’s my guy, I love Matt, but no.”
Kansas City is navigating one of the most dramatic transitions in recent franchise history. After a disappointing 6-11 finish that saw the Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014, head coach Andy Reid and his staff are retooling.
Multiple assistants have already exited, including assistant defensive line coach Alex Whittingham, wide receivers coach Connor Embree, and defensive quality control coach Louie Addazio.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is widely expected to pursue head coaching opportunities elsewhere, leaving a key vacancy on Reid‘s staff.
That development fueled hopes, particularly among fans, that Smith, a respected leader and two-time Super Bowl finalist during his playing days, might take on a senior offensive role.
Instead, the former No. 1 overall pick made it unequivocally clear he’s passing on the chance.
Smith‘s presence around Chiefs lore remains significant despite this decision.
After being drafted by the Chiefs in 2005 and later revitalizing the franchise, he helped lay the groundwork for future success, including mentoring eventual MVP Patrick Mahomes before Mahomes became the starter.
Since retiring from the NFL, Smith has built a profile as an analyst on shows such as Sunday NFL Countdown and First Take, carving out a second career in sports media without the grueling schedule of coaching.
Coaching changes brewing in Kansas City
With Smith stepping back from coaching discussions entirely, Kansas City‘s front office must look elsewhere to fill its technical brain trust.
One name Smith organically brought up, when asked about offensive coordinator options, was Mike Kafka, who spent five years on Reid‘s staff from 2017 to 2021.
“Oh, I wouldn’t be shocked if they bring (Mike) Kafka back… Andy just rarely brings somebody outside of his circle,” Smith said, hinting at the kind of continuity Reid might prefer.
As the Chiefs navigate an offseason of significant change, the absence of Smith in their coaching plans serves as a reminder that even the most respected alumni sometimes choose a path outside the sidelines.
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