Andy Reid roundup: 4 takeaways from the Chiefs’ head coach

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid met with the media via Zoom on Monday, less than 24 hours after the team’s 31-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders .

Listen to the full presser above or by clicking here.

Reid began the presser by noting how he was happy the team could rebound from slow starts on both sides of the ball. He mentioned defensive tackle Chris Jones and what he means to the defense, the success of the offensive line against a good Raiders defensive front and the game plan of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. He also said he was pleased with the returners who stepped in.

Then Reid took questions, which we have rounded up in four takeaways:

Reid explained Kadarius Toney’s situation and why he didn’t play. On Friday, the thought was that the wide receiver would play against the Raiders despite being on the injury report with an ankle injury. On Saturday, the team added a hip injury to his designation and ruled him out for the game.

“I’m not sure he could have taken a hit, and that’s kind of what it came down to,” said Reid. “We thought we’d give him time — a short week — give him as much time as he could to progress there, but it just did not work out that way.”

It was a shame that Toney, who flashed against the Philadelphia Eagles , could not follow up that performance by suiting up in Las Vegas.

Reid also had some information on the outlook of linebacker Nick Bolton and running back Jerick McKinnon. The Chiefs placed linebacker Nick Bolton on injured reserve back in October due to a wrist injury . The injured reserve list means the player misses at least four games, and those four games have now tolled.

“I think we’ll be able to get some work from Nick,” said Reid. “He’s wanted to go here even before this. We’re just trying to make sure he’s right for that.”

Once the Chiefs designate Bolton to return, he can practice for up to 21 days before Kansas City adds him to the active 53-man roster. In addition to Toney, McKinnon also missed the game against the Raiders.

“McKinnon, his groin’s been bothering him for a bit, and he’s kind of pushed through it,” said Reid. “It was at the point where he was going to have a hard time working at the level he wants to work at there and be safe on that.”

The running back apparently found a good place to watch the game .

It was an honor having “Jet” with us at Big Charlie’s. Go Chiefs! pic.twitter.com/eQseSjEWl0

— Big Charlie's Saloon November 27, 2023 Reid described what led to Rashee Rice’s 100-yard game. Rice broke through against the Raiders for a 107-yard outing, the best of his career to date. Kansas City has needed significant production beyond tight end Travis Kelce for a while now, and this was a big step in the right direction.

“He’s been getting better every week, and he’s working to be more Patrick-friendly, and so, there’s a lot that goes into that when you say something like that,” said Reid. “A lot of it is just playing, but being willing to fit your game into the offense’s game and how Patrick sees things. He’s done a nice job of being open that way and listening and deciphering what defenses work with what routes and how to manipulate that.

“Kelce has been a good example for him and has had some good input there, too... it was good to be productive as opposed to the first half, being able to get a complete game after the first couple series.”

Reid has liked the Chiefs’ recent success in short-yardage situations. Kansas City has been much better in short-yardage situations recently. Reid credited four of his coaching staff members for the turnaround: Nagy, offensive line coach Andy Heck, tight ends coach Tom Melvin and assistant offensive line coach Corey Matthaei.

“They all join in on that and work the run and the pass game together in those situations,” explained Reid. “They’ve done a nice job with it. I think the more guys that are available that are threats there that you can utilize from a coaching standpoint is a positive thing. We were talking an example with Rashee that he’s getting better. Those are situations that he’s becoming more familiar with and now he can be part of that equation of helping out there. And then Kelce, likewise. And then [Isiah] Pacheco and Clyde [Edwards-Helaire] are doing a nice job likewise. Clyde stepped in for McKinnon in the third-down stuff and did a good job along with Pacheco.”

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