Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes
December 30, 2024
OPENING STATEMENT: “Alright, I don’t really have a whole lot for you today. The players have been off, so they’ll be coming back in tomorrow and I’ll be able to talk to them about play times and all (of) those things and how we’re going to go about it. For right now, I’m not going to address that today until I have a chance to talk to the team. As far as the injuries go, we’re really looking halfway decent here in that area. I’ll have to report to you from the last game. Everything’s kind of status quo right now. With that, time’s yours.”
Q: What has your experience taught you about situations like this regarding play time against Denver?
REID: “When I first became a head coach and the first time I had a chance to get into the playoffs – I’ve learned some things since then. I know that you have to keep yourself relative with practices and make sure that you stay sharp. You don’t want to get too far away from it in the playoffs because everything gets a little bit faster in the playoffs every level that you go up, so you’ve got to make sure that you – and it’s single elimination – you have to make sure that your game’s at the peak each time you play.”
Q: What kind of toll do you think playing three games in 11 days took on your players? Will that factor into your decision on who is playing against Denver?
REID: “Well, I mean, they were able to get some rest, which I thought was important – yes. I mean, that’s not – I’m not recommending that you do that every year, but I don’t think – down the road, I think we’ll be okay from it because of the rest that we gained here. We also have the bye coming up where there’s a chance (that) the guys get a day or two off.”
Q: Any update on D.J. Humphries and his injury status?
REID: “He’s (D.J. Humphries) doing good, Jesse (Newell). I can’t make you any promises – I want to get him out to practice and kind of see where we’re at. He is doing good in his rehab part (but) that’s different than being on the field, so I’d like to just see how he does there.”
Q: Is moving Joe Thuney back at left guard the ideal move?
REID: “I’ll just – I’m going to play it kind of by ear as we go here. I’ve been happy with (Mike) Caliendo and how he’s played. I’ve been happy with Joe (Thuney) and how he’s played, I appreciate them jumping in and keeping the level of play up. I’m curious to see where D.J.’s (Humphries) at and if he can do anything. I just want to see where we’re at, and I’ll evaluate that as we go down the stretch here, you know.”
Q: Is there any chance that you could get anyone back from IR during the playoff run?
REID: “There’s a chance with Mecole (Hardman) and potentially (Jaylen) Watson – I mean, potentially. That would be stretching it though, I think, but the other two (Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice), no.”
Q: What have you seen from the AFC competition this year and the improvement in the AFC West?
REID: “I think it’s great. I mean, it’s – the level of this division is, I think, incredible. We’ve got really all four teams playing hard and aggressive football and good solid football. I know the Raiders are not in, I get that, but I know the other two are as deserving as anybody to be in the playoffs. It’s good to see that. I think that this is all about competition. We’re in it for the competition and both Denver and the Chargers, they’re both really good football teams.”
Q: Is it almost too early to prepare for any of the playoff possibilities or are you guys just focusing on Denver?
REID: “Well, we’re focused on Denver right now and making sure we have a good gameplan together for them. There’ll be a time when we look at the other group – we’ll have time to do that, but right now, we’re preparing for Denver. We’ll hit all (of) that other stuff later here in another day.”
Q: What have you seen from Carson Wentz and what are your thoughts on him being a potential starter in this league in 2025?
REID: “Listen, I’m one of his (Carson Wentz) biggest fans, so I liked him coming out, I liked what he did before he was banged up there in Philly (Philadelphia) and I liked what I saw last year from him for sure with his start with the Rams. I like what I’ve seen here which is – I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to see him here. Selfishly, I’d like to keep him, but I don’t think that’s going to be possible. He should be starting in the league somewhere. That’s what he should be doing by his ability and the way he goes about his business. He’s so structured and disciplined that – his study habits and work (ethic), you know, all of those things are just top notch.”
Q: During Xavier Worthy’s celebration, what was the penalty for?
REID: “I think that’s out there Todd (Leabo), but I guess it’s pulling your shirt up to show a weapon or something, I don’t know. I don’t really know about all of that. I know they were like shoveling snow and doing that or whatever. I don’t know where the other part came in, I don’t know that. The officials obviously knew or were coached up on that, they didn’t hesitate on it.”
Q: Since the Broncos need to beat you to get into the playoffs, does that change your gameplan at all?
REID: “No. We’re going to do what we have to do or will do – but most of all, we want to play well, that’s what we want to do against a good football team.”
Q: On Isiah Pacheco’s rib injury.
REID: “Yeah, he’ll (Isiah Pacheco) be available playoff-wise. He is tender, I probably should’ve mentioned that, but he is tender and we’ll just – I’ll probably hold him back here this week in practice just a bit so he can be fresh and ready to go.”
Q: What benefit will it be that you will have more than likely played all of the AFC playoff opponents?