
Chiefs Matt Nagy On His Mahomes Cheating Rookie Kelces Andy Reid Lessons Swingin D Ep 147
July 9, 2025
Key Takeaways
- The podcast episode featured Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy, discussing his career, coaching philosophy, and insights into the Chiefs’ offense.
- Nagy shared personal anecdotes about his time with Andy Reid, his experience as a head coach, and his relationship with players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis and Jason Kelce.
- The conversation touched upon the importance of player development, mentorship within the team, and the challenges and rewards of coaching at the highest level.
- Key topics included the evolution of NFL offenses and defenses, the impact of player personalities on team culture, and specific game planning strategies.
- The episode also highlighted the upcoming hiatus for the ‘New Heights’ podcast during training camp and teased future guest appearances.
Segments
New Heights Film Club: Pretty Woman Selection (~00:15:00)
- Key Takeaway: The ‘New Heights’ podcast has selected ‘Pretty Woman’ as the next movie for their Film Club, based on fan votes.
- Summary: The hosts discuss the results of their Film Club vote, with ‘Pretty Woman’ being chosen over ‘The Princess Bride’. They anticipate watching and reviewing the film in a future episode.
Patrick Bacon Charity Golf Tournament (~00:22:00)
- Key Takeaway: Travis Kelce participated in the Alex’s Way Foundation golf tournament hosted by Patrick Bacon, raising funds for a good cause.
- Summary: Travis recounts his experience at the charity golf event, highlighting the efforts of Patrick Bacon and the foundation. The conversation touches on the importance of giving back and supporting community initiatives.
Patrick Mahomes’ Bet and Blue Man Group (~00:25:00)
- Key Takeaway: A humorous bet is discussed involving Patrick Mahomes attempting to lose 25 pounds by a certain date, with the consequence of performing as the Blue Man Group if he fails.
- Summary: The hosts detail a bet made with Patrick Mahomes regarding weight loss, with the losing condition being a Blue Man Group performance. The weigh-in is scheduled soon, adding an element of anticipation and comedy.
New Heights Reddit and the ‘Jets Jake’ Tattoo (~00:30:00)
- Key Takeaway: The podcast’s Reddit community is discussing the possibility of fans getting ‘Jets Jake’ tattoos to appear on the show, with a fan vote planned if multiple people do it.
- Summary: The hosts address a popular topic from their Reddit page about fans getting tattoos related to ‘Jets Jake’. They discuss the parameters and potential for bringing fans on the show if they commit to the tattoo.
Podcast Hiatus Announcement (~00:34:00)
- Key Takeaway: The ‘New Heights’ podcast will be taking a hiatus starting July 23rd due to Travis Kelce’s training camp commitments.
- Summary: The hosts announce that the current season of ‘New Heights’ is concluding, with the final episode airing on July 23rd. They explain the necessity of the hiatus due to training camp schedules.
Team Group Chats Discussion (~00:36:00)
- Key Takeaway: Players often participate in position-specific and informal group chats to stay connected and share camaraderie.
- Summary: Responding to a listener question, the hosts discuss the prevalence and nature of team group chats in the NFL, highlighting how they foster team bonding and communication.
Interview with Matt Nagy: Early Career and Andy Reid (~00:42:00)
- Key Takeaway: Matt Nagy shares his early career experiences, including a near-miss opportunity to play for the Chiefs and his deep respect for Andy Reid’s mentorship.
- Summary: Nagy details his journey from intern to offensive coordinator, his brief practice experience with the Chiefs, and the profound impact Andy Reid has had on his coaching development. He also touches on his college connection with Brett Veach.
Nagy on Chiefs’ Offense and Player Development (~00:50:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy emphasizes the importance of veteran players like Travis Kelce mentoring younger teammates, which significantly aids player development and team success.
- Summary: The conversation focuses on how experienced players contribute to the growth of rookies like Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco. Nagy highlights the value of Travis Kelce’s guidance and the selfless nature of the Chiefs’ team culture.
Patrick Mahomes’ Draft Process and Football IQ (~01:00:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy reveals he gave Patrick Mahomes some ‘answers to the test’ during his pre-draft interviews, confident in his potential.
- Summary: Nagy discusses the Chiefs’ draft process for Patrick Mahomes, explaining his conviction in Mahomes’ talent and providing him with some insights during interviews, which ultimately proved beneficial.
Alex Smith’s Influence on Mahomes and the Team (~01:10:00)
- Key Takeaway: Alex Smith played a crucial role in mentoring Patrick Mahomes during his rookie year, fostering a positive and collaborative quarterback room.
- Summary: Nagy and the Kelces reflect on Alex Smith’s impact as a veteran presence, highlighting his professionalism and how he helped Mahomes transition into the NFL, emphasizing the importance of a supportive veteran quarterback.
Mahomes’ Progression and Leadership Growth (~01:20:00)
- Key Takeaway: Mahomes has significantly improved his understanding of protections and leadership, evolving from a talented player to a more complete quarterback.
- Summary: Nagy details Mahomes’ development, particularly in mastering protections and enhancing his leadership skills. He notes Mahomes’ ability to communicate effectively with coaches and players, contributing to his overall growth.
Gardner Minshew and Josh Simmons (~01:30:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy discusses the addition of Gardner Minshew to the QB room and the potential of rookie offensive lineman Josh Simmons.
- Summary: The conversation shifts to the team’s quarterback room with Gardner Minshew’s arrival and the promising athleticism of offensive lineman Josh Simmons, who is recovering from an injury.
Jason Kelce’s Rookie Year Anecdote (~01:35:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy shares a wild story about Jason Kelce’s fiery reaction to his car being tampered with during his rookie year.
- Summary: Nagy recounts an incident where a rookie Jason Kelce aggressively confronted teammates about his car, showcasing his intense personality and immediate impact.
Boarshead and Hellman’s Sponsorships (~01:45:00)
- Key Takeaway: The podcast continues with sponsor mentions for Boarshead deli meats and cheeses and Hellman’s flavored mayonnaises.
- Summary: The hosts promote Boarshead’s premium deli products and Hellman’s new line of flavored mayonnaises, suggesting uses for summer entertaining and encouraging listeners to try them.
Andy Reid’s Coaching Philosophy and Stories (~01:50:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy expresses deep gratitude for Andy Reid’s mentorship, highlighting his ability to foster player personality while maintaining discipline.
- Summary: Nagy shares personal stories about Andy Reid, including a near-miss Heimlich maneuver incident and Reid’s meticulous attention to detail. He emphasizes Reid’s positive influence on his career and personal life.
Nagy’s Head Coaching Experience in Chicago (~02:05:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy reflects on his time as head coach of the Bears, identifying relationship-building with the entire team as a key learning experience.
- Summary: Nagy discusses the challenges of being a head coach, particularly the importance of connecting with all players and staff. He acknowledges areas where he could have improved, such as sustaining relationships.
Toughest Defensive Player and ‘BU’ Philosophy (~02:15:00)
- Key Takeaway: Max Crosby is identified as the toughest defensive player Nagy has had to game plan against, and Nagy lives by the ‘Be Yourself’ (BU) philosophy.
- Summary: Nagy names Max Crosby as a particularly challenging opponent due to his relentless play. He also discusses the ‘BU’ (Be Yourself) mantra, emphasizing authenticity and personality within a team structure.
Coaching Advice and NFL Offense/Defense Trends (~02:20:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy shares that the best coaching advice he received was ‘Win and beat the Packers,’ and discusses the cyclical nature of NFL offense and defense.
- Summary: Nagy reflects on coaching advice and observes that defenses currently seem to have an edge over offenses due to evolving schemes and strategies, leading to more ‘bend but don’t break’ approaches.
Welcome to the NFL Moment and Scripting Plays (~02:25:00)
- Key Takeaway: Nagy’s ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment involved a serious reprimand for accidentally allowing the defense to see training camp play scripts.
- Summary: Nagy recounts a formative experience where he was reprimanded for a security lapse with play scripts, highlighting the importance of diligence in the NFL.
Conclusion and Final Sponsor Reads (~02:30:00)
- Key Takeaway: The episode concludes with thanks to Matt Nagy and final sponsor mentions, wrapping up the discussion.
- Summary: The hosts thank Matt Nagy for his insights and reiterate the podcast’s sponsors, including DraftKings, before signing off.