Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid just set the bar very, very high for new DT Peter Woods. It almost feels impossible, unachievable, and inconceivable, but exciting all at the same time.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday night, Reid was asked about Woods and his ability to learn behind an All-Pro like Chiefs DT Chris Jones. Reid made a point of mentioning they’re different players stylistically. In doing so, he unleashed a comparison that felt slightly irresponsible.

“Yeah, two different-sized guys, but both good athletes,” Reid said. “So I think that’s what he gives you, that quickness. You can say Aaron Donald-y type quick.”

Reid then paused, realizing that he had just let genie out of the bottle.

“Well, he’s not Aaron Donald yet, right? That’s a good challenge for him,” Reid continued. “But he has, he has that ability inside, and you’re seeing in the league now guys that maybe aren’t the biggest guys, but they’re extremely quick and have great body control and can rush the passer. Shortest distance to the quarterback is those dudes right inside there? And so he gives you a little bit of that, and we were looking for that, and he’s a great kid.”

It feels a bit unfair to bring up perhaps the greatest defensive tackle of this era of football. Donald is a Super Bowl champion, a member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and a multiple-time All-Pro. Woods hasn’t even set foot on the NFL gridiron yet. However, if Reid truly feels Woods’ quickness is on par with Donald’s, it could be a strong motivator to get it out there now.

What does new Chiefs DT Peter Woods think about Andy Reid’s Aaron Donald comparison?

Andy Reid and Chiefs GM Brett Veach both evoked qualities of Aaron Donald when discussing Woods’ game. The 21-year-old was a bit blown away when media members asked him about it. It was almost a proud moment and realization of, “Wow, they see that in me?”

“He’s my favorite player that’s ever played the game,” Woods said of the comparison. “So, that’d be crazy. I model my game after him. But talk about the guys, I’ll take from like Jeff Simmons, Leonard Williams, some of those guys who rely on their twitch and speed-to-power ratio to create opportunities. Mismatch guys. Guys that you can’t really roll down the line. So, I think that’s what I bring to the game.”

There’s obviously a very long way to go before any facet of Woods’ game can be compared to Donald’s game. However, the balance, body control, quickness, and explosion that Woods has in his game make you wonder. Is Donald such an unrealistic ceiling? It also doesn’t hurt that he’s about to play next to a player who also garners a ton of attention in the passing game, in Chris Jones.

Chiefs DT Peter Woods is actually looking forward to learning from another future Hall of Famer

Speaking of Chris Jones, Woods is eager to pick his brain and learn from him. Jones has already shown a willingness to play the mentor role. Just as he did when the team brought in George Karlaftis in 2022 and Omarr Norman-Lott just last season. Ultimately, it comes down to how many secrets Jones is willing to share with him.

“As much as he’ll let me,” Woods said. “I think that I’d be crazy to come into a league that I’ve never played in, thinking I know everything. I think that I have the talent, I have the mindset, and I have the leadership skills and capabilities to come in and make an impact immediately. But we’re talking about Hall of Famer, you know a future Hall of Famer. So I’m gonna be a sponge from the moment I step in the door and try to level up my game in any way possible.”

It remains to be seen if Woods can live up to his draft status or the high expectations Coach Reid has for him. However, seems to have the internal drive and willingness to go the extra distance to be great. That’s always a good starting point, especially when you’re joining a winning program with such a high standard of excellence.

“I want to be great,” Woods concluded. “I want to be the greatest at my position. So, whatever it takes from a coach’s standpoint, I’m not any type of player to shy away from no action or anything like that. So, so I’m ready for whatever it is.”