Quarterback Patrick Mahomes could soon lose a trusted voice and ally from his offensive staff. After a 6-5 start, the Kansas City Chiefs lost their final six games and finished 6-11. They couldn’t secure a playoff spot for the first time since Mahomes took on a starting role in 2018, leading to a coaching overhaul this offseason. But a key piece could be on the way out amid the new arrivals, with the Arizona Cardinals showing interest.

“Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview Dan Williams for their QB coach position, per source,” NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe wrote on X. “Williams is in Year 7 with Chiefs, last 3 as assistant QB coach. A young rising coach and key figure for Patrick Mahomes with a chance for elevation.”

The Cardinals’ interest would be a step up for Dan Williams, who serves as assistant QB coach. According to NFL rules, franchises can only block lateral moves, not promotions. It means that Kansas City cannot stop him from interviewing. So, if Williams strikes a deal with Arizona, head coach Andy Reid would have no option but to seek his replacement. 

Historically, Reid has always backed his staff’s progress and recently allowed former OC Matt Nagy to take a bigger role elsewhere. If Williams leaves, the Chiefs will wish him well, even if replacing him won’t be easy. He joined the Chiefs in 2019 as a coaching intern and left a solid impression. The following year, they rewarded his hard work and talent by promoting him to assistant to the head coach. 

In 2023, he transitioned to the assistant quarterbacks coach role. Over the past three seasons, he developed a steady presence and played a crucial role in Patrick Mahomes’ development. During his tenure, Williams tasted Super Bowl success thrice and witnessed his QB getting invited to every Pro Bowl until 2023. 

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While Mahomes is coming off a rough season with a career-worst completion rate of 62.7%, he leaned heavily on Williams and QB coach David Girardi to stay sharp. As he recovers from an ACL injury that occurred in mid-December, constant coaching changes can weigh heavily. The team has recently parted ways with Nagy, replacing him with Eric Bieniemy. 

While Bieniemy has worked with the Chiefs before, fresh faces will need to learn the system. With Patrick Mahomes preparing for an early-season return, continuity deeply matters. Amid Williams’ potential exit, one player has weighed in on his future with Kansas City.

Tyquan Thornton sets his expectations with Patrick Mahomes’ team

As Andy Reid navigates the offseason after a rough 6–11 finish, the team has multiple key areas to focus on. One of them is the wide receiver group, where they invested heavily in players such as Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy ahead of the 2025 season. However, that move didn’t pay off, and the team ended up relying on Tyquan Thornton for long stretches. With Reid looking to steady the position, Thornton has sent a clear message about his role going forward.

“I would definitely want to be back to Kansas City,” Thornton said. “But I want to, wherever I go, I want to have my fair share of targets. Go out there and contribute and play at a high level.”

“Yes for sure definitely! I feel like that,” he added while addressing the possibility of the team’s goal alignment with his own.

After spending three seasons with the New England Patriots, Thornton moved to Reid’s team. He signed a one-year deal worth around $1.1 million after joining the practice squad in November 2025. With the team thin at receiver, his opportunity came fast. Rice’s six-game suspension and Worthy’s injury opened the door even wider.

He quickly grabbed it, delivering when the offense needed help. In the 2025 season, he posted 19 receptions on 37 targets and also contributed ‌438 yards. But once the receiving room improved, Thornton’s involvement fizzled out. In his last nine appearances, he had only six receptions and did not score a touchdown. 

As free agency approaches, Thornton wants to come back, but has made his expectations clear. With Rice’s contract lasting through 2027 and trade rumors circulating, Patrick Mahomes’ team must move fast to assess Thornton’s situation. They need to give him a more prominent role that matches his potential. If not, fans may not see Thornton in the red jersey next season.