Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes
September 2, 2026
OPENING STATEMENT: “Alright, really, as far as the injuries go, a couple of the new guys, I think the travel caught up to them today. So, everybody else was out there doing their thing. (OL) Kingsley (Suamataia) was sick, so that's why he came out. Other than that, it was good work today. Guys got out there, we kicked practice up a little bit earlier, just for the heat purposes, so it's going to be warm this afternoon and I thought we wanted to get outside, so I made it a little bit earlier but all in all, good work for today. Time’s yours.”
Q: On DT Chris Jones.
REID: “Yes, (DT) Chris (Jones), likewise. Chris, his back was bothering him, so I kept him out. He’ll be alright though.”
Q: Is T Josh Simmons still dealing with the lower back?
REID: “Yeah, that's what (General Manager) Brett (Veach) was saying. (T Josh Simmons) He had the back checked, and there was a spot in there that flared up. And now you’ve got to sit here and wait until that thing calms down. He's been here working out and doing the rehab stuff, so we'll see where it goes. The other guys are doing a nice job in there, so you got to see the linemen that were in there, so it was good to see our guys roll without Josh in there. But it was also good to see the new guys get a practice in, too.”
Q: Do you know for sure how the offensive line would line up with T Josh Simmons not in there?
REID: “We'll just see how it goes as the week goes on, but I have a pretty good idea, yeah.”
Q: What's your broader sense of QB Patrick Mahomes’ progress at this point and how you look at the next ten days or so to get to game day?
REID: “Yeah, (QB Patrick Mahomes) he's going to keep practicing, Vahe (Gregorian). I mean, just like he's been doing. These are more like training camp practices here. So, we get a lot of one versus one play in these next couple days. So, that's a good thing.”
Q: What stood out to you about the run game in the preseason?
REID: “Yeah, listen, I like the way the guys executed up front, it starts there. And I like the way the running backs were running. I mean, they were hitting it, seeing it and hitting it, which is important. And it looks like they've got good vision, which helps you, too. So, enough patience, but yeah, good vision.”
Q: How important is it for you to keep four tight ends?
REID: “Yeah, well, we use three often, so having that fourth guy here, I think, is important to be able to step up and fill in there.”
Q: Is it good to have a fullback (FB Ben VanSumeren) back in the building?
REID: “Yeah, it gives you some flexibility. It's a new position for (FB Ben VanSumeren) him, but he's a guy that's super aggressive and loves to play the game, but the position's new. He was a college linebacker. And so, he's just, the last couple years, he's been working in there as a fullback, but I like what I saw on tape there.”
Q: What's your first impression of the two new offensive linemen? With OL Joshua Ezeudu it looked like you were getting to work on both guard and tackle today.
REID: “Yeah, so (OL Joshua Ezeudu) he's got flex to do that. He's done both, and so (Offensive Line Coach) Andy's (Heck) getting him adjusted. It's a matter of just getting adjusted to everything from the snap count, to the plays, to the calls, and pass protection, and so on. So, it was great to get him in there. There were a couple hiccups in there, but for the most part, I thought they did a pretty good job.”
Q: What stood out about RB Emmett Johnson and the last few weeks that he's had?
REID: “Well, I would tell you (RB Emmett Johnson) his pass protection. We knew he could run the ball, but the thing we had to see was pass protection. And for him to be that number two back, you’ve got to be able to do that and he was a smart kid, and he was willing to stick it up in there. So, he did a nice job of it.”
Q: It seems like you have one of the harder practices in training camp. Just wonder, especially contrasting that with last year, how do you feel like that worked out, and the benefit of it?
REID: “Yeah, we were able to get a couple extra practices in just by the way the days set and days off, so yeah, I think it's good, builds a foundation for you that you can build on for the rest of the year and I like the way the guys worked. I mean, you guys were up there, there wasn't complaining. They were willing to get out there in that heat and humidity like they did today and go. So, I think it builds a good foundation for you going forward.”
Q: When you did the offseason analysis, was that part of it? Was that pretty early on, something you decided you wanted to do?
REID: “Yeah, I know where you're going with this, but I'm not telling you the team last year wasn't tough. That's not what I'm saying. We had a few obstacles we had to work around last year, but I thought we could use this, for sure.”
Q: I know you never want to be comfortable but are there some things over this next ten days or so that concern you about getting the roster ready or anything? Where are you on the comfort level right now?
REID: “Yeah, so keep working and I think that's important as you go forward. Give them enough time to recover, but at the same time, make sure we're in good condition, football condition to play against a good football team.”
Q: When CB L’Jarius Sneed is healthy, what is he to the defense?
REID: “Yeah, well, (CB L’Jarius Sneed) he can play inside or outside. That's the advantage you gain there with him. He loves doing both, but I mean, I think in his size, he's a big kid, tough. I mean, arguably one of the best corners in the league when he left here, and now that he's back healthy and going, I'd tell you he's playing like that right now. So, he's doing a nice job.”
Q: You were really effective in short yardage situations with RB Kareem Hunt. What did you see from the offense this year, in short yardage situations in the preseason and how much of that is the running back versus the offensive line?
REID: “Yeah, I mean, you know this, but it's a combination. You can't have one without the other. So offensive lines got to present holes. You don't need these giant holes. That's not what you're looking for, but enough to get yourself a yard or two. So, that's the important thing and defenses throw a lot of combinations at you, whether they're slanting or blitzing. So, you've got to make sure that you have all those gaps covered and you're strong in the gaps with leverage, as long as you're running the football.”
Q: What's the balancing act for you on the 14 days to prepare for Week 1?
REID: “Yeah, so we'll practice tomorrow and then the guys get, I believe it's three days off and then we'll come back on Monday and have a good practice there. And then we're into our normal week from there.”
Chiefs Players Quotes
September 2, 2026
WR XAVIER WORTHY
Q: Have you already started to look at Denver, what they presented, at least what you guys had last year versus how they look in the preseason?
WORHTY: “Yeah, we’ve kind of just (have gotten) into it. We’re probably going to get into that next week. We’ve kind of just been getting into this—obviously the fundamentals, obviously a lot more of our scheme. We’ve probably been running plays to study and obviously just for Denver but haven’t put a name on it. So obviously just staying in tune and getting ready for the season, obviously.”
Q: How did you put in work with QB Patrick Mahomes this offseason given that he was going through rehab?
WORTHY: “I actually came back early to work with (QB Patrick Mahomes) him a little bit. With some of my rehab, just getting that chemistry. Obviously, on and off the field, your quarterback is obviously important, so I came back early just to get that in with him.”
Q: On the team’s performance last season.
WORTHY: “I mean, you kind of watched it. It’s just working on the little things. I feel like last year, we kind of weren't paying attention to that like we were the first year. We emphasized it, but like (Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy) EB says all the time, it’s the discipline. So, I feel like we didn’t have discipline in those times. You go back and look at the first game. We won a lot of those close one-point games, you go back and look at last year, we lost those games. So that’s just the margin in the league, every game is so close, so just coming out and being disciplined and winning those games.”
CB L'JARIUS SNEED
Q: Where does the willingness to do anything on defense come from?
SNEED: “Oh man, just buying in to the team, and the young players, who I can help.”
Q: What do you think of CB Mansoor Delane? Do you see yourself in him?
SNEED: “Yes, (CB Mansoor Delane) he’s definitely a dog. He’s one of a kind. He’s the first runner for a reason.”
Q: What did playing in the preseason do for you in order to get ready for next week?
SNEED: “Oh yeah, I just didn’t want to go into the season, just throw me in there (and not) get reps. I wanted to get reps before I go into the real thing.”
RB BRASHARD SMITH
Q: How special is it to make the 53-man roster as one of three running backs?
SMITH: “I feel like it is really special, just coming in my first year, I was learning a lot. This year, I’m still learning, but I’m in a way better position than I (was).”
Q: What is your eagerness to be apart of special teams?
SMITH: “I love special teams. I feel like special teams is the spark that gets the offense going. I feel like special teams is the biggest part in the game, for real. Sometimes people don’t really think that, but you make a big play that gets everybody going. Everybody on offense gets to going after that, so I love it.”
Q: What kind of little things are you working on with Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Running Backs Coach DeMarco Murray?