Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes
August 24, 2026
OPENING STATEMENT: “All right, as far as injuries go for today’s practice, (WR Jeff) Caldwell will be out for today’s practice. (LB Jack) Cochrane is doing better with the knee, but he’ll be out. (DB) Chamarri (Conner) will be out – is getting better. (DE Ashton) Gillotte won’t practice, (S Alohi) Gilman won’t practice, he had that lower back spasm in warmups. (OL) C.J. Hanson won’t practice. (WR) Jimmy Holiday. (QB Chris) Oladokun actually is in concussion protocol. So, he had symptoms the following day, yesterday, and so, he’s in the protocol there. (T) Josh Simmons, lower back, and (DE) Tyreke Smith had the hamstring during the game. Other than that, everybody else will go ahead and practice. We’re back into more of a normal week, well like a Wednesday type of practice that you’d have during the season. And the game planning is still not what you’d game planned [for] during the season, but we know we’re playing Seattle, but we’re still working a little bit on them and a little bit on just our plays. So, it’ll be kind of a mixture of things. Anyways, with that, time’s yours.”
Q: On confidence on QB Patrick Mahomes being cleared to play week one.
REID: “(QB Patrick Mahomes) He’s doing great, we’ll just see, I’m literally taking it day by day. There are no predictions here on anything, but if the doctors and the trainers and everybody that are involved with this give him the okay, and then most of all, if he feels like he can, then we’ll address that when we get there. But other than that, these other guys are playing quarterback and doing a nice job with it.”
Q: G Trey Smith is back, is he feeling well?
REID: “Yeah, we’ll see. See how (G Trey Smith) he does today, ease him back in, but he wants to get out there and get going. It’s been killing him not to be out there, so he’s kind of wired that way.”
Q: QB Patrick Mahomes mentioned wanting to play preseason game two, was it a medical decision not to let him participate?
REID: “Yeah, (QB Patrick Mahomes) he wants to play every weekend.” (laughter)
Q: Is QB Patrick Mahomes still not cleared to play in a game?
REID: “Yeah, probably not cleared enough.” (laughs)
Q: How tough has it been for G Trey Smith to sit out this last little bit?
REID: “No, (G) Trey (Smith) loves to play, but it was important that he let that thing heal up like he did, and I think it’ll pay off for him down the road.”
Q: What was your takeaway from T Kahlil Benson’s reps on Saturday versus Tampa Bay?
REID: “Yeah, so we’ve kind of moved this kid all over the place, and (T Kahlil Benosn) he did some good things. He’s got some things he’s got to work on, but you can see the talent there. He opened the gate a couple times on his drop, but he’s got a lot of talent, and the want to. He wants to do the right things; he’s got the ability to do it. It’s just getting these reps. We went silent count, too. So, which was new to him and so he was late off the ball a couple times, but all of that he banks, and it’ll be important once we start the season for him.”
Q: On training camp progression from all the rookies.
REID: “I mean you hit the primary things. Can you rebound after a tough day? You’re getting to see that. Rebound after a tough play? And then are you a repeat offender? You get an idea of all of that during camp, and so when I say I like what I’ve seen from the rookies, collectively, I feel like they’re learning from whatever mistakes they make. It looks like they have talent to help us go forward and win games and then will there be a growing process to take the other? There will be, but as long as they’re going 100 miles an hour doing it, they’ll work through it because they don’t normally repeat the mistake twice.”
Q: What impressed you most about CB Mansoor Delane in his preseason opener?
REID: “Yeah, you obviously could see the athletic ability, the feet, and the instincts there. (CB Mansoor Delane) he’s not afraid to stick it in there, he’s a physical kid. I think he just builds on that and goes, but you obviously see the talent. And like I said, he’s like the other rookies, will there be a mistake here or there, there’s going to be a mistake here or there, but as long as he keeps that attitude. If [there’s] no other position you have to have a short memory, that’s the one you’ve got to have. And so, you learn from whatever mistake you make, and you move forward.”
Q: What do you think the biggest reason is for WR Jalen Royals seeming more comfortable?
REID: “Yeah, I mean, well, you got to see the lower body strength that (WR Jalen Royals) he has. So, he doesn’t always look like the fastest guy or the quickest guy, but he’s tough when he’s got the ball in his hands. And he’s got that running back lower body, and he can make you miss. So, we saw that at the college level, we saw it last year before he was hurt, and you’re just kind of seeing it come back now. Best in live situations, and he always catches the ball well, he’s got strong hands, but that yard after the catch is something that he was very good at – at the college level.”
Q: Do you think WR Jalen Royals progression comes from him having familiarity and comfort within this offensive system?
REID: “Well, that, and you have to have that trust in the quarterback to get to the ball. And a couple of those were tight throws in traffic and (WR Jalen Royals) he made the catch and then did some things with the ball after the catch.”
Q: QB Justin Fields had an increase in snaps for preseason game two, how do you think he’s adapting into this system?
REID: “Yeah, I like (QB Justin Fields) him. He’s [a] good kid. He works his tail, very smart, and has done some nice things there. So, he seems – you’d have to ask him that question, but I like what I’ve seen. Yeah. He’s done a nice job.”
Chiefs Players Quotes
August 24, 2026
DL PETER WOODS
Q: What do you take away from the two preseason games you’ve had?WOODS: “It’s just been an exciting time for me. Being out there, getting reps and learning different techniques and stuff that I can actually apply to a real game scenario. It’s just been a great experience. Those are the words I would use to sum it up.”Q: On building off of DE R Mason Thomas with interior defense.WOODS: “Yeah, it’s been there all camp. You know, it’s something I am obviously very excited about. He’s (R Mason Thomas) got some stuff that you just can’t teach anybody. That makes my job easier. That makes everybody around him job’s easier, and that’s going to make him a better player. You know, being able to use those things that are just God given that he has. So, I am really excited about it.”Q: How do you feel like teams so far have been playing you? Do you feel like you’ve been tested?WOODS: “I feel like they are coming out and they’re doing their job and threatening me to mine. I feel like I am going to see that at least 15 more times down the road. I just have to have my stuff buckled up and ready to go.”
CB MANSOOR DELANE
Q: How did you feel about Saturday night and your performance?DELANE: “I think it was cool. You know, obviously it wasn’t too many reps but just getting my feet wet. I’m just getting that experience. I think that was the biggest thing for me.”Q: How was it for you emotionally when you couldn’t participate?DELANE: “It’s always hard to not be on the field. That’s what you love to do. But, like I said, I think it’s a sign. Whatever happens, it’s meant to be that way. I think it allowed me to step back and see it from a different perspective. See what I could learn, learning from other players — their corrections, their mistakes, and what they’re doing good. I took that time and I valued every second of it.”Q: Going up against QB Patrick Mahomes and the NFL caliber receivers, what has been the biggest challenge compared to your college experience?DELANE: “I would say little room for error. I think that’s the biggest thing I learned, especially playing with (QB Patrick) Pat (Mahomes). You could be in great position you know and in college it may work. But, you know, every little flaw that you may have, he’s going to pick it out. It’s really allowed me to stay on top of my toes and become a better player.”
RB EMARI DEMERCADO
Q: On fitting into the RB room and differentiating himself.
DEMERCADO: “I mean, obviously we always talk about pass proing (protection) so that’s been my thing. But, as far as the (RB) room, that’s what you want. You want to compete. That brings out the best of everybody in the room.”
Q: How was your first Chiefs training camp?
DEMERCADO: “It was a lot of work. But that’s why this is such a great franchise. They know how to put in the work and to get where you want to go.”
Q: On teams not respecting the Chiefs run game and building it back up.