The Kansas City Chiefs have parted ways with wide receivers coach Connor Embree this week, following two seasons of reported frustration within the team's offensive ranks. The dismissal comes after the Chiefs failed to reach the playoffs in the 2025 season, finishing with a 6-11 record.
Behind-the-Scenes Discontent with Coaching
According to reports, dissatisfaction with Embree's role had been building behind closed doors for some time. ESPN's Nate Taylor stated that key young receivers, including Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, were so unhappy with the coaching they received that they turned to veterans for guidance.
Taylor, speaking to 96.5 The Fan, revealed, "I know the receivers themselves were frustrated with their own position coach." He pointed to a noticeable improvement in rookie Xavier Worthy's performance following the mid-season arrival of veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins in October 2024.
Veteran Players Step Into Coaching Void
The influence of star tight end Travis Kelce and the briefly acquired DeAndre Hopkins appears to have been more significant for the development of Rice and Worthy than their official position coach. "You could argue that DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce have had more impact on the development of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy than Connor Embree," Taylor asserted. "That's a problem."
Hopkins was traded from the Tennessee Titans for a fifth-round pick, which converted to a fourth-rounder when the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl that season. He left as a free agent after the 2024 campaign to join the Baltimore Ravens.
Major Offensive Restructure Expected
Embree's departure after seven total seasons with the organisation, three as the primary wide receivers coach, is likely just the beginning of changes for the Chiefs' offensive staff. Head coach Andy Reid is expected to oversee a drastic restructuring.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is strongly linked with the head coach vacancy at the Tennessee Titans and is anticipated to leave Kansas City regardless of that outcome. The Chiefs have also granted permission for teams to interview defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Potential replacements for Nagy, such as Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury, have already been mentioned.
The 2025 season was defined by offensive struggles, particularly in the receiving corps, which plagued the team throughout their disappointing campaign. The dismissal of Connor Embree marks the first decisive step in what promises to be a pivotal offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs.
