The offseason has begun earlier than expected for the Kansas City Chiefs, and because of that, Andy Reid’s staff may be a little different the next time they take the field in 2026. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy may be on his way out after he secured an interview for the head coaching position with the Tennessee Titans, but other coaches could either be let go or find themselves a promotion with another franchise as the offseason progresses.
On Friday, Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen was added to that growing list of Reid’s staff members to draw interest from other NFL teams, as he interviewed for the defensive coordinator opening with the Washington Commanders. Coming from Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, the Commanders are looking under the right tree to help their struggling unit.
But after firing wide receivers coach Connor Embry and defensive quality control coach Louie Addazio, it could be another sign that changes are coming for the Chiefs as they move toward next season.
Joe Cullen Could Be the Next Departure from Andy Reid’s Staff
Cullen joined the Chiefs’ staff in 2022 after a one-year stint as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer. While his stint with the Jaguars didn’t go well, with the team finishing 20th in total defense and 28th in scoring defense, he has a long track record of developing talent across the defensive line, starting when he was the Detroit Lions’ defensive line coach in 2006.
In Kansas City, Cullen played a big role in helping the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls. Chris Jones was already established as one of the best defensive tackles in the league, but Cullen helped develop 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis and got the most out of defensive lineman Charles Omenihu with seven sacks in 11 games during the 2023 season and Tershawn Wharton with 6.5 sacks during the 2024 season.
It’s hard to remember, considering the Chiefs struggled in the trenches this season, but Jones may have revealed just how much Cullen meant to them with a post on his X account that read “Oh sh!+…….” The hire could also be what the Commanders need after a rough 2025 season.
The Commanders’ 42 sacks last season were respectable, ranking 14th in the NFL. But they couldn’t have a sustained push toward the opposing quarterback as their 19.6 percent pressure rate ranked 26th. In addition, Washington ranked 27th with 26.5 points allowed per game, and their 5.3 percent turnover rate was only above the New York Jets, who had a 1.6 percent rate and became the first defense in NFL history to go a full season without recording an interception.
In many ways, Cullen could be what the Commanders are looking for, and it could leave the Chiefs needing to make an unexpected move to fill another hole on Reid’s staff next season.
