NFL Rumors: 5 best Andy Reid replacements if Chiefs face unthinkable

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their first road playoff game ever since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018. They will face off against the Buffalo Bills, a frequent playoff adversary in recent years.

The Chiefs' season has been far from pretty, highlighted by their struggles on offense. But last week, they beat the Miami Dolphins rather decisively. If the Chiefs are to lose on Sunday, then their season ends, and it will be onto the offseason. Is it possible Kansas City could be in for a pivotal offseason?

During an appearance on CBS Sports Radio's The Zach Gelb Show, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio discussed the possibility of head coach Andy Reid retiring is on "the Chiefs' radar" this offseason.

Reid is a no-doubt, Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach. Any team with a coach of that caliber will have the unenviable position of replacing him down the road. The Alabama Crimson Tide had to do so this year when Nick Saban retired, and landed Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer to replace him.

So, who would be the best replacements for the Chiefs if Reid is to retire this offseason.

5. Eric Bieniemy, Commanders OC

With Reid retiring, could the Chiefs ask for his opinion on who to hire as the next head coach? If that is the case, would it be so far-fetched to see Eric Bieniemy get his first head coaching job.

Bieneimy had been an unsung hero for the Chiefs during his time in Kansas City working under Reid. From 2013 until 2017, Bieniemy had been a running backs coach, before becoming the team's offensive coordinator in 2018, a position he held for five seasons. The offense thrived during that time, which ironically was when Patrick Mahomes was handed the reins as starting quarterback.

Even with the offense thriving, Bieniemy never really got credit for it, with it instead going to Mahomes and Reid. Bieniemy received head coaching interviews, but never received the opportunity from NFL teams. That caused both Reid and Mahomes to publicly vouch for Bieniemy as an NFL head coach. But, it has yet to happen.

After the 2022 season when the Chiefs won Super Bowl 57, Bieniemy left the organization to become offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Wahington Commanders under Ron Rivera. Washington's offense did show promise this year, especially early on with quarterback Sam Howell. But the struggles of the offensive line loomed large, and resulted in Washington finishing the year 4-13.

It's unknown if Bieniemy will return to Washington, as Rivera was fired after the regular season. But Bieniemy has yet to receive a head coaching interview so far this year. It would be something if Bieniemy returns to Kansas City as Reid's successor.

4. Leslie Frazier, former Bills DC

One of the easiest ways for a team to replace their legandary and winning head coach is to hire someone from his coaching tree. Some of the notable names include John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens and Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills. But neither are unlikely to be available in the future, let alone this offseason. But when looking towards the available options on the Reid coaching tree, Leslie Frazier stands out.

Frazier worked under Reid from 1999 until 2002 as the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. The defensive-minded head coach would bounce around the league in a variety of stints with teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings. But in 2010, Frazier received his first shot as head coach, taking over for Brad Childress. Frazier became permanent head coach from 2011 until 2013. In his four years as the sideline boss in Minnesota, Frazier had a 21-32-1 record in the regular season, and an 0-1 playoff record (2012, Wild Card Round loss to Green Bay Packers).

After his first head coaching stint, Frazier made a name for himself as the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills from 2017 until 2022. The Bills defense was a strength, and it helped that the Bills had developed one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Josh Allen from 2018 onwards.

Frazier had received head coaching interviews from a variety of teams over the years, such as the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins in 2022. Even after taking a year off from coaching, Frazier received interest in this coaching cycle, earning interviews with the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.

If the Chiefs want to look towards Andy Reid's coaching tree, Frazier is available.

3. Mike Vrabel, Former Titans HC

This year's coaching carousel has been probably the most shocking in recent memory. One of the biggest surprises was the Tennessee Titans firing head coach Mike Vrabel. Yes, even though there were reports that those around the league expected either Vrabel or the Titans to move in a different direction, the expectation was that it would result in a trade. Instead, the Titans decided to cut ties with Vrabel and allow him to explore other head coaching opportunities without limits.

Vrabel made a name for himself as a relatively new head coach. After spending three seasons as linebackers coach for the Houston Texans (2014-16), Vrabel was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017. But in 2018, the Titans made Vrabel an offer as head coach, which he accepted.

In his second year, Vrabel helped guide the Titans to the playoffs, where they defeated the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens to make it to the AFC Championship Game. Then, in 2021, Vrabel won the NFL's Coach of the Year award.

Vrabel never had a losing record in his first four years at the helm. But in 2022 and 2023, the Titans finished with a combined 13-21 record, which can be attributed to changes across the roster, with the offense taking a hit following the trade of wide receiver A.J. Brown.

Despite the losing seasons the past two years, Vrabel is a hot commodity in the coaching carousel, receiving interview requests from the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Chargers. It would be something to see a former Chiefs player coach the team, as Vrabel spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons in Kansas City as a linebacker.

2. Bill Belichick, Former Patriots HC

Well of course Bill Belichick would be on this list. After all, he is an eight-time Super Bowl winner, six of which as a head coach. It's not often a multiple-time Super Bowl-winning head coach would become available, but that is the case this year.

In 2000, Belichick received his second NFL head coaching opportunity with the New England Patriots. That move panned out for all parties, as Belichick remained with the team for 24 years and brought them their first six Lombardi Trophies. It certainly helped that they found "The Goat" at quarterback in Tom Brady in the sixth-round of the 2000 NFL Draft, and helped them win those Super Bowls.

But after Brady's departure from New England in 2020, Belichick struggled to maintain success. While the team did make it to the playoffs in 2021 with rookie quarterback Mac Jones, they were blown out by the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round. Then, this season, the Patriots were the worst team in the AFC, finishing the year with a 4-13 record.

Even with the struggles the past four seasons, Belichick should still be viewed as a top candidate. Thus far, Belichick has been focused on the Atlanta Falcons, due in part to the path to breaking the all-time wins record is that much easier in the NFC South.

But coaching in Kansas City should be tempting for Belichick. After all, working with Mahomes should be a selling point.

1. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan HC

One of the hottest coaching candidates this year is Jim Harbaugh. The NFL waited to see when Harbaugh would make the jump back in recent years, but things never panned out. But the feel right now, after leading Michigan to a National Championship, that a return is happening.

Harbaugh received his first head coaching opportunity in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. What was most impressive was Harbaugh brought the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game in each of his first three years on the job. In 2012, Jim led San Francisco to Super Bowl 47, where he lost to the Baltimore Ravens and his older brother, John. But after a 2014 season when the 49ers finished with an 8-8 record, Harbaugh was fired. Harbaugh held a 44-19-1 overall record.

After the firing, Harbaugh pursued the opportunity to coach his alma mater. Despite a shaky start and lack of bowl game success early on, Harbaugh built the Wolverines into national title contenders. The Wolverines under Harbaugh went 89-25.

It's no secret during his head coaching stints that Harbaugh got the most out of his quarterbacks. In Stanford from 2007 until 2010, Harbaugh worked with Andrew Luck, who become the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. With the 49ers, Colin Kaepernick was one of the more dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the league. Then at Michigan, J.J. McCarthy has the potential to be a first-round pick this year.

Harbaugh has been linked heavily to the Los Angeles Chargers, who have a star in Justin Herbert at quarterback. He has also interviewed with the Falcons, who need to find their franchise signal caller. What if the Chiefs opening becomes available? Coaching Mahomes would be a plus for any candidate.