Chiefs dump Connor Embree for coach that Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski calls a ‘top 3 wide receiver coach in the NFL’

The Kansas City Chiefs are getting quite the upgrade at wide receiver coach.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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The Kansas City Chiefs have a new wide receivers coach in the building after making the decision to move on from Connor Embree, the team’s wide receivers coach of the past three seasons.

Chad O’Shea brings nearly a decade of NFL coaching experience, having worked with and coached players such as Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, DeVante Parker, Amari Cooper, and Jerry Jeudy. It’s like a night-and-day difference in terms of experience between Embree and O’Shea, which is something the Chiefs have desperately needed with guys like Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Jalen Royals failing to reach their ceiling in recent seasons.

Cleveland Browns fans might scoff at that notion after having similar complaints about O’Shea during his tenure with the team. So, what are the Chiefs truly getting in Coach O’Shea?

Former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski says what needs to be said about new Chiefs wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea

Speaking with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams show, former New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski spoke about the news that O’Shea would join the Chiefs’ coaching staff. Gronkowski’s entire New England career overlapped with O’Shea’s, and even though he didn’t work directly under him, he had some strong opinions about his ability as wide receivers coach.

“I actually just saw that this morning,” Gronkowski said. “I’m pumped about it. Chad O’Shea is responsible. I wouldn’t say he’s responsible for Randy Moss’ and Wes Walker’s careers in New England, but I would say he’s responsible for Julian Edelman’s career in New England; that’s for sure. But Chad O’Shea, I mean, he was there in the prime of Randy Moss and Wes Welker at the wide receiver position. He was the wide receiver coach, you know, he helped establish that and help that offense grow. (He) helped those wide receivers be on the same page as Tom Brady. And he’s got so much knowledge of the game of football. I love Chaddy’O. I associated myself with him at practice all the time. We always chit-chatted. We had a great time talking about things off the field of football as well.”

O’Shea got career years out of Moss and Welker, but, as Gronkowski said, the real litmus test was how he developed former Kent State QB Julian Edelman into perhaps the greatest slot receiver of the 2010s decade. That shows O’Shea’s true coaching mettle; it also explains why Gronkowski still thinks highly of him to this day.

“Smart guy, very smart,” Gronkowski said. “Knows the game of football, no doubt about it. He was an offensive coordinator before, but I truly believe that he fits at the wide receiver position better than any other coach out there… I would just say he’s a top prospect. He’s a top guy, but probably a top-three wide receiver coach in the NFL. There’s no doubt about that, but I’m telling you his knowledge and the way that he could connect with players as well. It’s not just about coaching and knowing what you know about football and knowing everything inside and out. It’s how you connect with these guys, and how can you bring the best out of them? And that’s what he does, and that’s why he’s so great. And I think he’s the mold that fits him perfectly at the wide receiver position.”

We’ll see what Coach O’Shea is able to get out of the wide receiver room in Kansas City in 2026. He’ll have no shortage of talent to work with. Making sure that the juice is worth the squeeze at that position group will now be in his very capable hands.

Chiefs’ wide receivers under contract for the 2026 NFL season

  • Rashee Rice
  • Xavier Worthy
  • Jalen Royals
  • Jimmy Holiday
  • Andrew Armstrong

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