Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid met with the media as Phase 1 of the offseason workout program began on Monday.

Reid didn’t provide numbers or names, but he said the team had a “nice” turnout as voluntary work kicked off. While the 2026 NFL Draft is top of mind, Reid had the chance to discuss several topics with the press. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting things that he said during his conversation.

An improved Kansas City Chiefs running game is all about balancing out the offense

Brett Veach spoke a bit about the Kenneth Walker addition during his pre-draft press conference. Now, Coach Reid has weighed in on the running game. This caught my attention because there’s no doubt the Kansas City Chiefs need to be more explosive in the running game in 2026. I love the idea of a more balanced approach to the offense that Reid seems to be touting.

“You want to be able to throw as many things at a defense as you possibly can,” Reid said. “Defenses are complicated in today’s world. They create crazy matchups and coverages versus all these different formations that the offenses come up with for confusion’s sake, to neutralize that you come back with the run game. And if you run effectively, it balances some things out there with these bizarre secondary looks that you’re getting. I think that’s important, it’s positive if you can do that. We feel like we have the people to do it, not only in the backfield, but also up front to do even better than what we did last year.”

A good running game doesn’t just neutralize the two-deep safety looks that give Kansas City so much trouble. It forces defenses out of those looks and into others more favorable to the Chiefs’ offense. This offense needs to get back to a point where it can dictate, not just respond. It’s all talk right now, but if this is what they’re aiming for, it should get fans excited.

Andy Reid views Justin Fields as a starting quarterback in the NFL

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid’s update on starting QB Patrick Mahomes was about as you’d expect. He’s able to do everything the team is allowed to do in Phase 1 of the offseason workout program. He’s in meetings; he can do rehab work and lift weights. As for a timeline, Reid says they’ll play things by ear this offseason. He reiterated that they “have to be smart with this thing.”

I’d say right now, he’s not expected to do much until the team gets to St. Joe for training camp. Because of that, Justin Fields has a massive opportunity ahead of him to really master the offense in Kansas City. Reid is still getting to know his new backup quarterback, but he seems to believe in him. He’s already planting the seeds for the future.

“I appreciate Justin (Fields) and the way he has gone about everything so far; he’s been great with everything,” Reid said. “I don’t know him as well as I will have known him once we get through a few weeks here, Todd (Leabo). I like from a far what I’ve seen. I like when I’ve met with him, what I’ve seen. I mentioned down at the owner’s meetings that we didn’t bring him in to be a gadget guy, although he can do every gadget there is but we didn’t bring him in to do that, we brought him in – he’s a legitimate quarterback, a starting quarterback in the National Football League, and we’re lucky enough to have him here. And if that’s the role that he plays early in the season, we have full confidence that he can do a great job with that. So far, I would tell you, Todd, that’s how I look at it. I will get to know him better as we go forward, but I like what I’ve seen so far. I also had the heads up by (Former Offensive Coordinator) Matt (Nagy) when he had him in Chicago on how he’s wired, and that was all positive.”

If we want to read too much into it, maybe Reid is preparing folks for the inevitable. Maybe Fields has to start some games early in the season for Kansas City as Mahomes continues to get back from injury. Reid also gassed up Carson Wentz and Gardner Minshew when they were the team’s backup quarterbacks. I do think there’s some gamesmanship here as they get into offseason work. If Fields moves on after a single season with the Chiefs, it’s never too early to put it into the minds of NFL decision-makers that he’s a starting-caliber player.

Andy Reid’s word salad either fuels the fire or puts an end to offensive tackle in Round 1 rumors

This was a bit of a weird one.

NFL Network’s Stacey Dales asked Coach Reid: “What are the biggest traits that you look for in an offensive tackle?”

It was her second consecutive question, with the first about GM Brett Veach. Reid responded as if she were asking who they were taking in Round 1. When he actually answers her question, that’s where things get interesting.

“Well he did say offensive tackle, didn’t he? Is that who we’re taking, is an offensive tackle (chuckles)? Dog gone Stacey (Dales), you got some inside information (laughter)? I would tell you, I always look at the feet,” Reid said. “I go and say, listen, give me somebody that can get out of their own way and get themselves in position where they can put themselves in the best position possible to block a guy, whether it’s in the run game or the pass game. And then I work my way up from there with the core strength, the arm length (and) all those things. The offensive line is kind of my baby, along with the defensive line. I like the big guys. You win games by making sure that group is strong.”

You either come out of this thinking that offensive tackle is a smokescreen, or they definitely want to draft one. Of the offensive tackles in this draft class, Georgia OT Monroe Freeling hits all three things Reid mentioned. He has the quickest feet, he’s got the arm length, and he’s got core strength to control defenders. I flagged him in my Monday Mailbag as a player to watch for the Chiefs. I also shocked everyone and took him in the first-ever A to Z Sports Mega Mock Draft.