KC Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid
OPENING STATEMENT: “As far as the injuries go, everybody did something today, but the guys that are in question are (Matt) Dickerson, Wanya Morris and (Nick) Bolton still. So we’ll just see where it goes from there. (I) look forward to the challenge of playing the Vikings, again (they are a) good football team. Our guys have had a good week of practice, so we’ll be ready to go out there, hop on the plane tomorrow and travel up there, with that time’s yours.”
Q: What have you seen from Travis Kelce after the injury and then through his first three games?
REID: “He’s done a good job, started off real well last week which was good to see. Had a couple of nice catches and runs and all that, he had a couple of screens where he did real well, too.”
Q: Do you feel like with his age things are getting a little harder for Travis Kelce?
REID: “I haven’t seen that; he goes out and he cranks every day, so I mean he works his tail off. He never asks for time off or days off or anything (he’s) an amazing guy that way.”
Q: How important has Travis Kelce been to the development of the young receivers?
REID: “Yeah, he’s been good. He talks to them and helps coach them up. He’s been real good with that. He’s got a good way about him that way.”
Q: How much does the impending short week impact your decisions on guys playing through injury this week?
REID: “Not much. If they can go, we’ll let them go, and if they can’t, then we’ll hold back on them. That’s normally how we go about it.”
Chiefs Player Quotes
October 6, 2023
TE TRAVIS KELCE
Q: How are you? Where is your mindset at?
KELCE: “I’m rolling man. We’ve won three in a row, trying to get to four in a row, yeah. As all the attention comes, it feels like I was on top of the world after the Super Bowl and right now even more on top of the world, so it’s fun man.”
Q: On all of the recent attention with Taylor Swift.
KELCE: “We’re learning with the paparazzi just taking photos from all over the place, but at the same time, it comes with it, it comes with it. You have a lot of people that care for Taylor (Swift) and for good reason. Just got to keep living and learning and enjoying the moments. At the end of the day you know, I’ve always been pretty good at compartmentalizing and being able to stay focused in this building, so I’ll just keep rolling with that.”
Q: Does being in the building with the team help you get away from everything going on in the outside world?
KELCE: “I think it’s always been that for me. No matter what’s going on in my life, good or bad. I think this is one place where I can get away and just be locked in and focused and always check myself and my ego at the door and make sure that I come in with a clear mind.”
Q: Being a part of Taylor’s world, what have you learned?
KELCE: “It’s worldwide man, it’s worldwide. It’s been magnified for sure though.”
Q: What was the toughest part playing in Jacksonville?
KELCE: “The toughest part for me was to just get back in the groove, you know. With the knee injury and everything going into that week or coming out of the Lions week in Week 1, there’s been that aspect and then on top of that as a whole, as a unit just staying on the page for four quarters, staying together, putting it all together as an offense specifically and just nonstop trying to get better man, that’s always been the goal.”
Q: What is Patrick Mahomes like coming off the field after not playing his best?
KELCE: “He’s dialed in man, he’s dialed in. He’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever do this thing because of how he can move on from things, how he can learn from things, and make sure that he’s just you know being the best he can for the guys around him and for the organization he’s in front of. I expect him to go out there and be Pat Mahomes baby, nothing less.”
Q: What did you think about Aaron Rogers calling you Mr. Pfizer?
KELCE: “I thought it was pretty good. I mean with the stache, I kind of look like a guy named Mr. Pfizer. Who knew I’d get into the vax wars with (Jets QB) Aaron Rogers man. Mr. Pfizer vs. the Johnson and Johson family over there.”
Q: On why he chose to do the Pfizer commercial.
KELCE: “I mean I’ve always been – once I got the vaccine, I got it because of keeping myself safe, keeping my family safe, the people in this building, so yeah I stand by it, one thousand percent, and I’m fully comfortable with him calling me Mr. Pfizer.”
Q: What defensive differences are you noticing around the league that are different than last year?
KELCE: “They might of focused in on a few things, at least up to this time frame in the season. (Vikings Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Brian) Flores is an unbelievable defensive coordinator, or defensive coach I should say, just a coach in general. I got a lot of respect for him, and I know that he’s not shy of bringing the heat and putting the pressure on you and we just have to be ready for it.”
Q: How often does it happen that you and Patrick Mahomes are not on the same page in a play?
KELCE: “There were a few plays, and it’s just you know, we’re still learning, we’re still trying to figure things out and trying to make the best decisions. It’s one thing when it goes right, and then you want to do something based off of what you just did knowing that the defense saw it. It’s non-stop playing chess with the guys across from you. You’ve just got to make sure you’re on the same page, and you’re not putting the team in a tough spot or putting (Patrick) Pat (Mahomes) in a tough spot like I did last week a few times.”
Q: It seems like sometimes you and Patrick Mahomes are reading each other’s minds; does it feel weird when you don’t end up on the same page or is that just how it is sometimes?
KELCE: “I think that’s a good question. I’m really just so focused in on the success of the drive, the success of the play, how that play ends and then on top of that being able to move on from it and learn from it. You never really get caught up in getting down on it that’s for sure.”
Q: On turning 34 yesterday.
KELCE: “I’m very fortunate to get to 34 and to be able to do what I love. I got a lot of shout outs from family, friends, a lot of people reaching out yesterday. Chiefs Kingdom always shows love, and it’s just an appreciating day. As much as everybody wants to make it about me, I just see how many family and friends that I have around me, so it’s always a beautiful thing.”
Q: As you get older does it start to feel any harder?
KELCE: “There’s been some things that have popped up that just make you stay on top of it. I think everybody gets to this point in this career – if they’re fortunate enough to get to year 11 in their career – you’ve definitely got to start to home in on things more and just make sure that you’re available, make sure you’re doing everything you can to make yourself available. That’s always been the mindset for sure.”
Q: This is the longest you’ve kept the mustache into the season. Was that always the plan?
KELCE: “Yeah it feels smooth man, it feels good. Just got a cut this morning if you couldn’t tell (laughter). Yeah, I feel the power out there when I’m running around for sure.”
Q: The last few weeks the games have gotten a lot of coverage because of Taylor Swift. How do you tune that out and just play?
KELCE: “Everybody is having fun with it. Whether I think they’re over doing it or not, I brought this to myself. I’ve been fortunate enough to have fun with it. That’s all that really matters, that it’s not pissing anybody off – over here (among the Chiefs) at least. I’m having fun with it. I think like I said earlier I’ve been pretty good at compartmentalizing, and making sure my focus is always about winning the game, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.”
Q: It seems like you’ve had some self-reflection going on. Is that just with your birthday or how often do you do that?
KELCE: “I’m fortunate. A lot of my home games I have a lot of family and friends come in town and that’s almost like a birthday every single week, especially when we get a win. I think it’s a 20-person suite, so you’ve got at least 20 people coming in to see you specifically play the game you’ve been playing since you were a kid. There’s a bit of a birthday feel to that when you get the family and friends around. I’m always reflecting on how appreciative I am of the people around me knowing that I grew up with a great community, I grew up with a great group of friends that I’m still close with, and on top of that, we’ve grabbed a lot of good one’s along the way.”
Q: When you hear the play call, how much do you anticipate how you might run the route a little differently than it might be drawn up based off the look you get?
KELCE: “Most of that is talked about, or at some point has been talked about in another route concept and it will mirror up with Pat (Mahomes). I think for the most part the flow of the game, the feel of the game – I’ve had so much fun with 15 (Patrick Mahomes) outside the facility, I’ve seen that guy compete in everything from golf to pickle ball to beer pong, you name it. I get what his competitive nature is, I think that goes a lot further than people would expect.”