RM Chiefs Add Veteran Wide Receivers Coach with Kansas City Ties and Championship Pedigree

After a disappointing 6–11 campaign, the Kansas City Chiefs have taken a measured approach to reshaping Andy Reid’s coaching staff, leaving fans uncertain about how extensive the changes for 2026 might be. As the offseason progresses, however, some early moves are beginning to signal the direction the organization is heading.

One of the first offensive changes came shortly after Week 18, when the Chiefs parted ways with wide receivers coach Connor Embree. Following three underwhelming seasons from the unit, the decision was widely expected among the fan base. On Monday, Kansas City officially filled that vacancy by hiring experienced NFL assistant Chad O’Shea.

O’Shea arrives from Cleveland, where he spent the past six seasons coaching the Browns’ wide receivers and also held the role of passing game coordinator under head coach Kevin Stefanski. With the Browns undergoing a major reset—and Stefanski departing to take the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons—O’Shea found himself looking for a new opportunity. That opportunity now places him alongside Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.

In replacing Embree, the Chiefs opted for a seasoned coach with a long résumé and a track record of success. The wide receiver group is viewed internally as an area where improved coaching could lead to significant gains. General manager Brett Veach has expressed strong confidence in Rashee Rice’s potential to become a top-10 receiver in the league, while former first-round pick Xavier Worthy is entering the latter portion of his rookie contract. Both players struggled with consistency in 2025, and the organization believes better guidance could unlock more reliable production.

O’Shea’s connection to Kansas City dates back more than two decades. He began his NFL career with the Chiefs in 2003 as a volunteer and assistant special teams coach under head coach Dick Vermeil, spending three seasons with the franchise before moving on to Minnesota as an offensive assistant. He is best known for his long tenure with the New England Patriots from 2009 to 2018, where he coached wide receivers during the height of the Brady–Belichick era.

The Chiefs are now counting on O’Shea’s experience and championship background to help steer the team back on course after a season that saw them tumble from preseason Super Bowl contenders—following three straight conference championship appearances—to a third-place finish in the AFC West. His hiring is just one piece of a broader restructuring effort, with additional staff changes likely still ahead.