‘It Was BAD…’ – Chiefs Coach Matt Nagy Reveals the Wild, Nearly Disastrous Moment They Tried to Make Chris Jones the Quarterback with Travis Kelce – What Really Happened Behind the Scenes Will Leave You Speechless 

“It was BAD…” – Chiefs OC Matt Nagy Recalls Hilariously Failed Attempt to Get Chris Jones Under Center with Travis Kelce

In the high-stakes world of NFL football, there are moments of brilliance, moments of disaster—and sometimes, moments so hilariously outrageous that they’re retold years later with a mix of disbelief and laughter. Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy recently opened up about one such instance, revisiting a chaotic and near-disastrous attempt to get star defensive tackle Chris Jones into the quarterback position alongside tight end Travis Kelce. And according to Nagy himself, “It was BAD…”

The story, shared during a recent press appearance ahead of the 2025 NFL season, reveals the kind of behind-the-scenes mayhem that fans rarely get to hear about—and it all started with a quirky idea that spiraled wildly out of control.

A Wild Idea Born in the Chaos of a Game

The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to unconventional plays. With head coach Andy Reid’s love of creativity and Patrick Mahomes’ improvisational genius, the team has built a reputation for surprising opponents with never-before-seen formations. But even for a team known for trickery, the idea to line up Chris Jones—a 6’6”, 310-pound defensive lineman—as a quarterback was… well, bold.

“It was one of those spur-of-the-moment things,” Nagy said with a chuckle, shaking his head. “We were in a tight game, emotions were running high, and we were looking for a spark. Someone on the headset—not naming names—joked about putting Chris [Jones] at quarterback. Next thing you know, we were actually drawing it up on the sideline.”

The plan, according to Nagy, was simple: use Jones as a surprise quarterback in a wildcat formation with Travis Kelce in motion. The idea was to catch the defense completely off guard, bulldozing the line with sheer size and confusion.

“He Had No Idea What to Do”

But as Nagy tells it, things quickly began to unravel.

“Chris was hyped—don’t get me wrong,” Nagy recalled. “He was like, ‘Let’s go! I got this!’ But then he got into the huddle and you could see the panic in his eyes. He’s pointing at people, asking where to stand. He’s like, ‘Do I clap or say ‘hut’? What’s the snap count again?’”

Travis Kelce, known for his football IQ and willingness to embrace wild schemes, tried to coach Jones through the play on the fly. But it was too late.

“It was like watching a baby giraffe try to run,” Kelce later joked in an interview. “I love Chris, but man, he was not built for the quarterback life.”

According to Nagy, the moment Chris got under center was when everyone realized just how wrong things were about to go. “He lined up facing the wrong way at first. Then he tried to call an audible—he just yelled, ‘Uh, let’s go!’ or something like that. The O-line didn’t even know if the ball was live.”

Mercifully Flagged Before Disaster Struck

As the clock ticked down, chaos reigned. Players were misaligned. The defense looked equally confused but was slowly catching on. Then came the saving grace: a delay of game penalty.

“It was the best penalty we’ve ever taken,” Nagy laughed. “Honestly, we needed the refs to save us from ourselves.”

The offense jogged off the field, laughing and shaking their heads. Patrick Mahomes was seen on the sideline doubled over in laughter. Even head coach Andy Reid cracked a smile.

“That one’s not going in the playbook,” Reid reportedly said as Jones returned to the bench.

Why It Happened in the First Place

So why did the Chiefs even consider such a wild move?

According to Nagy, part of it was about momentum—and part of it was simply about keeping things light.

“You’re in the middle of a tense game, emotions are high, and sometimes it helps to just break the tension,” he said. “Chris is one of the most vocal leaders on the team. Getting him involved in a fun way like that—while maybe not the best football decision—helped loosen everyone up.”

And for Chris Jones? He has no regrets.

“I told Coach, next time I want to throw a deep ball,” Jones said. “Put me back there again—I’m ready now.”

What It Says About the Chiefs’ Culture

While this story may seem like a goofy footnote in an otherwise intense season, it actually says a lot about the Kansas City Chiefs’ team culture. This is a franchise that’s not afraid to take risks, laugh at itself, and stay loose under pressure. That lighthearted but competitive atmosphere is a big part of why they’ve remained perennial contenders under Reid and Mahomes.

“We know when to get serious, and we know when to have fun,” Kelce said. “That balance is what keeps us going deep into January and February.”

Nagy echoed that sentiment: “This is a team that’s built on trust. We trust each other enough to try crazy stuff—because even when it fails, it brings us closer together.”

From Embarrassing to Endearing

Since the incident, the failed Chris-Jones-as-QB play has become an inside joke among the Chiefs’ roster and coaching staff. Footage of the attempt—while never making it into the official broadcast—has reportedly become a favorite in team film sessions.

“We watch it in the film room every now and then when we need a laugh,” Mahomes shared. “It’s just too good.”

Fans have also picked up on the story after Nagy’s comments went viral. Social media lit up with memes imagining Jones under center, complete with captions like “QB1 Energy” and “The real Mahomes replacement.”

A Reminder: Not Every Idea Is a Good One

Ultimately, Matt Nagy’s hilarious retelling of the “Chris Jones QB experiment” is a reminder that even the best minds in football sometimes make questionable calls. But in a sport dominated by intense scrutiny, it’s refreshing to hear a coach admit—with humility and humor—when something just didn’t work.

“It was bad,” Nagy said again, laughing. “But it made us better in a weird way. And it gave us a memory we’ll never forget.”

And as for Chris Jones? He’s staying ready.

“Next time they call my number,” he said with a grin, “I’m calling a flea flicker.”