Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes
September 8, 2026
OPENING STATEMENT: “Listen, we look forward to getting the season started and we know we’re playing a real good opponent, the Denver Broncos. Look forward to the challenge of playing them. They’re well coached, and they’ve got obviously a good roster there, players. As far as our roster goes, pretty good chance that (QB) Patrick (Mahomes) will go ahead and start unless something were to come up here in the next couple days. But most likely, he’ll be the guy that’s out there. As far as Josh Simmons goes, I know that’s another question people have, we’ll just see where that goes. But if he’s not able to go, then we’ll be in with (T) Kahlil (Benson) at that spot, and we’ll roll from there. We obviously try to play the five best guys. So, we made that decision on that. Josh is rehabbing; he's working his tail off. It's not—this isn't something that, anything other than him having an issue with his back and it's a matter of time here but he continues to work hard with (Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance) Rick (Burkholder) and do his part there. So, anyways with that, time's yours.”
Q: When it comes to QB Patrick Mahomes and what you'd like to see this week, you obviously feel comfortable enough to start him, but what are some of the things that would make you feel like he’s fully ready to go?
REID: “Yeah, I mean (QB Patrick Mahomes) he's shown everything there, Pete (Sweeney). He hasn’t missed a day as you know, and you guys have seen him out there, so you know what it looks like, him running around and doing his stuff. Other than having a brace on his leg, everything looks normal. He’s running around the same way he's always done and throwing the ball like he's always done. So, I think we're fine there.”
Q: Just to clear up, would T Kahlil Benson step in on the right and OL Jaylon Moore move over to the left?
REID: “Yeah, we'll see where all that goes. I'm not telling you that, but we're comfortable with (T) Kahlil (Benson) on either side. I mean, he's been playing the left side, so feel comfortable with that. We'll just see. We'll end up playing the five best guys, and right now, he's one of them.”
Q: How many practices does a player need for you to feel comfortable for them to play in a game? How does this impact T Josh Simmons?
REID: “Yeah, I mean, listen, there's a good chance (T) Josh (Simmons) doesn't play this week. I mean, that's where we're at. So, we have that in our mind, and he has an issue there that he's working through, and I'm not putting any time restraint on when he can come back or when he could practice and how many practices he needs and all that. I just want to make sure he's healthy and okay to go, but other than that, we move forward, so that's what we do.”
Q: How do you weigh deciding who goes left and who goes right on the offensive line since you do rotate those guys so often?
REID: “Well, the guy playing left is (T) Kahlil (Benson). So, I mean, he's been the one over there. You guys are out at every practice, you see it. He's the one that's been in there going and doing a nice job with it. So, if he has to be the left tackle, then he's left tackle. We roll with it. I mean, that's just how it goes.”
Q: You had some defensive starters out last game. What is the status for CB Chamarri Conner and S Alohi Gilman?
REID: “(CB) Chamarri (Conner) would be the stretch. The other guys, (S Alohi) Gilman was out there practicing and doing this thing. He'll be ready to go, I think.”
Q: You and Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton go back a ways. What's it like when you face off with an old friend like this?
REID: “I mean, we're (Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton) cordial. We've known each other a long time but we’re both competitive guys and want our teams to do the best and we both understand that. So, we know we're going to get each other's best shot, and we're blessed to have good teams.”
Q: On the Broncos, they've obviously been improving the last couple of years. They almost made the Super Bowl last year. When you look at what they have this year, how much different do they look than what you saw late last year?
REID: “Yeah, it doesn't look like they lost too many guys, and so there's some continuity there. They play hard and they've got good schemes, good coaches. That's what I see.”
Q: How would you assess WR Rashee Rice and his readiness and health? What do you expect from him early this season?
REID: “Yeah, I like the way (WR Rashee Rice) he's progressed here, Vahe (Gregorian), coming off the knee and every day he's gotten better and stronger and his endurance is better. So, he had a chance to play in the last game, a few plays, the last preseason game, I'm saying, and I thought that was important. I think he'll be fine going in this game.”
Q: What have you seen from T Diego Pounds?
REID: “(T Diego Pounds) He's just kind of getting used to what we do offensively. (I) like what I've seen. I mean, he looks like he has some talent there, and he's willing to work hard. So, it's just a matter of him getting a little time under his belt.”
Q: Last time we talked to you about T Kahlil Benson, it was after that Tampa game, which obviously wasn't his best showing. What have you seen from him since?