KANSAS CITY (Mo.) Early in the season, losses began to pile up for the Kansas City ChiefsThey shouldn't, for the two-time AFC champion and reasonable preseason goal to play in a third consecutive Super Bowl.
The Chiefs lost to Baltimore RavensAfter leading by 11 in the fourth quarter, they lost Week 2. They lost to the Los Angeles ChargersThe next week, they committed four turnovers. They lost to Buffalo BillsThey lost by 18 points in Week 5. They lost to the Tennessee TitansIn Week 7, after scoring three points, they had their lowest total since 2009. Patrick MahomesThey made him their starting quarterback in 2018.
This was the time to panic, for serious coaching intervention, and for change. The Chiefs were 3-4, and even if they won a few more games, it was impossible for them to make the playoffs.
Each day at Chiefs' practice area was exactly the same as the one before, just like the ones of years past. They meet to practice, to meet, and to work out solutions for their on-field problems.
Andy Reid's office was free of drama, screaming, or yelling. He didn't make any cuts to the Chiefs' underperforming players. He didn’t even threaten to. He didn’t tell the Chiefs not to hit the practice field in pads.
He made decisions that were not based on emotion or drama. They were done after thought because Reid believes in winning no matter what.
Reid's steady approach seems to have been rewarded. The Chiefs won eight consecutive games after that disappointing 3-4 start and claimed their sixth consecutive AFC West title. They were 12-5 in the regular season and will be the AFC's No. 2 seed for the playoffs. They will be playing the 2 seed against the Pittsburgh SteelersAt Arrowhead Stadium (8.15 p.m. ET, NBC).
“He knows exactly where he wants go, what he wants and how to get there,” stated Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo has been Reid's assistant for eleven years. He knew that right from the start. He is rock solid. This is the best description I can give him. Rock solid. You have been rock solid for so many years.
“Andy never lost faith in us, myself, the assistant coaches, and the scheme. Did he offer suggestions? Sure. Always. That's what a head coaches does. He's not trying to force anything on you. He believes in his team and allows us to do what we do best, as players and coaches.
Reid isn't loud.
This is not the first season Reid's patient approach to helping the Chiefs turn a season around. The Chiefs were 1-5 in 2015 and seemed to be headed nowhere.
They won their last 10 games to reach the postseason, and then they added an 11th win as the Chiefs reached the playoffs. This was the first time in 22 year that the Chiefs have ever won.
Reid was the Eagles' coach for 14 seasons. Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt brought Reid to Kansas City nine year ago because of his calm approach. The Chiefs had a history of volatile head coaches prior to Reid's arrival, including Todd Haley who fired an offensive coordinator in the preseason.
Hunt stated recently that Andy, no matter how the previous week went, is always the same coach. “I believe consistency is vital to the team, especially during difficult periods. When I was reflecting on this, I remembered Andy's long career. There have been seasons in which his teams struggled and were able to recover.
“It was a reminder of how lucky I am to have Andy and his expertise in a situation such as that.”
Reid claimed that 23 NFL head coaches have made emotional decisions in down times at one point during their 23-year tenure. However, he could not recall any specific instances. He stated that he didn't recall much except yelling at a player or team member who was underachieving.
“Human nature dictates that if you shout at someone, it is against their natural instincts.” [he's]Reid stated that Reid was going to make you turn off. “I believe in discipline. It is important to have certain skills in this sport. … However, you must treat everyone as if they were your own people. This is what I have done since I began my career in the business. That's the part that has not changed.
“I have tried to be honest and real with the guys. Players will not trust players if you don't follow through. … I won't be all over them.
Many players, including Jeff Allen, former offensive lineman, stated that Reid's voice was not something they can recall.
Allen stated, “He would make faces, groan and bite his lips, then say, ‘Gosh darnit!'” You knew he was unhappy when he did that. That was about the limit of his abilities and it took him a while to get there.
“Coach has been through some really difficult times.”
Reid started the season with the same strains as the previous, and perhaps that is why his stability has never been more vital. Three days before the Chiefs were due to play, Reid was to be the defending champion. Tampa Bay BuccaneersBritt Reid's son was the then-Chiefs' linebackers coach. He was involved in a car collision that severely injured a young girl near Reid's facility.
Britt Reid was later convicted of driving under the influence, a felony. According to the Jackson County, Missouri prosecutor, Reid was later charged with driving while intoxicated, a felony.
The Chiefs lost Super Bowl 31-9. It was the largest margin they had with Mahomes as their quarterback.
Brett Veach, Chiefs general manager, said that he has had long conversations with Reid about football and their roster since then.
Veach explained, “He is human too.” It's not like he doesn't flinch. There will be days when he'll need a call from you, when he wants something other than football.
He has had his good and bad days but he is super resilient. He has never changed his core beliefs or the things he does to please others. He has always been authentic and real. Every day he is the same person he was before.
Reid has been through family tragedy before. Reid lost his son Garrett to accidental drug overdose in 2012. This was Reid's last season as an Eagles player. He was just 29.
Spagnuolo stated, “Let's face the facts. Coach has been through some really difficult times going back when he was in Philly.” But you can't see this in him. I don't know how it is possible. This is a positive and calming aspect for coaches and players. It's difficult to do the job with moody people. Andy doesn't think so.
“It's how he interacts and communicates with players.”
Reid was the ideal target for safety if he had looked early in the season to set an example to a player. Daniel Sorensen. Sorensen started the season as a starter, but was causing problems for the Chiefs by failing to make tackles and allowing big passes.
Reid remained with Sorensen until Week 6, when he had to be replaced by Juan Thornhill. However, Sorensen was able to play a lot in passing situations and made many big plays that helped the Chiefs win their season.
BACK to BACK TO GO BACK TO GO BACK TO GO BACK? pic.twitter.com/I5kA1KcOcO
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 27, 2021
Sorensen has had two interceptions since he became a part timer. One of them was a touchdown return. In Week 14, Sorensen stopped a pass at its goal line to stop a touchdown. This victory gave the Chiefs an advantage in the AFC West race.
Reid stated that Sorensen is a “good player” and has a place on the defense. “Everything's going to not go perfectly. We get that.
“He trusted himself. He believed in his coaches. He trusted the plan and the men around. This is not always true.
Spagnuolo would not go into details about his conversations with Reid regarding Sorensen, other than to state that Reid never pressured Spagnuolo to bench any player.
Spagnuolo stated that if you decide which players you want to play, you don't need to panic at the first sign or danger. If you believe in what you do and who you are, then you can let the game unfold. If things don't change, there's a point when you have to do something new. Andy and I agree that this doesn't occur after either game one or two, or if you make a mistake one or two.
Andy never said, “We need to make some changes. What we're doing isn’t working.” What does he say to that? It usually comes down to the basics. It was all about the foundations and taking care on the small things even when it was difficult this season. The big things will follow once we have done that.
Reid's steady approach has surprised some. After working as an assistant coach at the NFL Diversity Program, Katie Sowers was hired by the Chiefs to be their head coach last summer. Atlanta Falcons San Francisco 49ers.
Sowers stated shortly before her time with Chiefs that she was “learning the best to ever do it”
Learn from the best? pic.twitter.com/gMKCYCmpsq
— Katie Sowers (@KatieSowers) August 7, 2021
Sowers stated that there is no one thing he does. It's his daily interactions with players and the consistency that you can see in his communication with all of the players. It's in everyday, small things. It is his voice. It's how he looks at your face. It's those little things that show you that he's a leader who can lead people.
I always felt that he believed that life is more than just winning and losing. While winning is important, you can see that he has a purpose for these young men. Their careers are ending one day and he knows how important their life after the NFL.”
Wide receiver Josh GordonThe Chiefs' first game was a 18-point loss against the Bills. This defeat dropped them to 2-3. Gordon is the fourth NFL player with the Chiefs and he expressed surprise at how relaxed he felt when things were not going his way.
Gordon stated that “I have noticed Coach Reid allows the players to act in very authentic ways.” gotten a chance with the ChiefsAfter serving eight suspensions offenses related to drugs and alcohol. “He always speaks of us showing our character. [In]Other places may not have this. He is a true gentleman, and I appreciate it. It allows players to be their best selves.
Reid believes that winning is the only way to win, no matter how bad it gets. There is no way to change regardless of the record of his team. He didn't seem discouraged by the Chiefs unexpectedly slow start.
Hunt even predicted that the Chiefs would turn around their season in weekly meetings.
Hunt stated, “He kept reminding us that we weren't that far away, whether it was on the offensive or defensive side of things and that the team had been working really hard during week, which was something he was encouraged to do.” Hunt said that Hunt saw the men wanting to improve and wanted to see them succeed. He believed they would.
