On Monday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs announced they were extending head coach Andy Reid and two other key team members. The move comes months after there was heavy speculation Reid could retire following February’s Super Bowl.
At 66, Reid is the oldest head coach in the league. With rumors spreading in early February that star tight end Travis Kelce could retire this offseason, it made sense to think there was a possibility Reid would retire rather than go through a rebuild in Kansas City. However, Reid and Kelce wanted to return as the Chiefs attempt a threepeat in the upcoming season.
According to a statement by the team, the Chiefs extended president Mark Donovan, general manager Brett Veach, and Reid:
Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt announced today that the club has agreed to contract extensions with President Mark Donovan, General Manager Brett Veach and Head Coach Andy Reid. The agreements ensure the leadership team of the Chiefs will remain in place for the long-term future.
The statement didn’t specify how long their contracts were extended. In the statement, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt praised the trio for their success in recent seasons:
“Mark, Brett and Andy have achieved historic success together, and we are thrilled that they will continue in their roles for many years to come,” Hunt said. “Individually, Mark, Brett and Andy each represent the best in the National Football League at their respective positions, and together, they make up one of the finest leadership teams in all of professional sports. They have been tremendous leaders for this organization on and off the field, and we look forward to their continued success in the years ahead.”
The trio continues.
We have signed Mark Donovan, Brett Veach, and Andy Reid to contract extensions.
: https://t.co/71cLlC4pZz pic.twitter.com/KH5frQh5SR
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 23, 2024
Per Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, Reid is now the highest-paid coach and has a deal that runs through the 2029 season.
The new contract rewards the duo not only for three Super Bowl wins, but how the organization has transformed since 2013.
Despite annual questions about whether he’ll retire, Andy Reid is going strong and now locked up through 2029, when he’ll be 71. https://t.co/DKP8a2FeCL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 23, 2024
Reid has a spot on the Chiefs sideline for years to come. He’s earned it, as the Chiefs have won three of the last five Super Bowls.
The party has to end at some time. Reid has his extension, but one would assume questions about his longevity will persist next winter. The Chiefs are aware he could retire in the near future, and they will need to be ready when that happens.
Regardless, Reid is back for the 2024 season and has a good chance of winning a third-straight championship. Questions about a possible retirement can and should be put off until January.
Enjoy the ride, Chiefs fans.
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