‘It’s a frame of mind’ — Andy Reid embraces scheduling challenges given to the Chiefs by the NFL in recent years

One of the many reasons why coach Reid is the best.

Nick Roesch — NFL Trending News Writer
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. © Denny Medley-Imagn Images

A lot of different challenges come with the territory of being an NFL dynasty.

Among them is scheduling, as Kansas City has learned over the past few years. The Chiefs are a ratings machine, so anytime the league can put them in a marquee matchup, it’s going to happen. That starts with primetime games, which K.C. has received plenty of ever since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018.

The Chiefs are now becoming staples on holidays. In 2024 they played on Christmas Day for the first time since 2006. That fell on a Wednesday, causing them to play three games in an 11-day span. In 2025 K.C. will play on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition to that, it will begin the season internationally in São Paulo, Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday, September 5.

It would be easy for a team to grow weary and have a negative attitude about playing on short weeks and missing time with their families on holidays, but that’s not how the Chiefs are handling it. While speaking to the media on Friday, coach Andy Reid said that the team embraces the scheduling challenges.

“I think it’s a frame of mind,” Reid said. “I think you say you’re being honored to actually do this, because you’re doing well, and that’s the way you approach it. It’s an honor to have an overseas game and to be able to go to Brazil, as opposed to, oh my gosh, what are they giving us? That attitude doesn’t get you anywhere.

“You take the schedule and you turn that thing into a positive. We’re blessed to play these teams. Some of these teams, most of them in this league, are just tremendous football teams. and the parody is crazy. It really doesn’t matter who you’re playing, or when you’re playing, you just take in your role. They’re doing the same thing you’re doing.”

That mindset and attitude is part of why Reid is one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and why the Chiefs are consistently on top. K.C. has seven primetime games total this season, which includes matchups on a Friday, Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. According to Sharp Football, it is the sixth-toughest schedule in the league.

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