Much has been made over the last week about the Kansas City Chiefs' decision not to host a joint practice ahead of the 2026 season. Head coach Andy Reid has clearly been against having these types of practices, and yet there is a portion of fans and pundits who see fit to question this judgment. Since 2013, when the veteran coach was hired, there has never been a joint practice held, and it isn't as if the Chiefs have been worse off for it.
Since Patrick Mahomes has joined the franchise, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls, with each season that the quarterback has been healthy at least ending in the AFC Championship. In reality, this is the only argument that is needed to point out that there shouldn't be any concern about Reid's consistent decision-making.
Joint practices have benefits for less accomplished teams or for rosters that need their confidence bolstered. Kansas City clearly doesn't qualify and should continue to do things at the same level as they have for the past 12 years.
Reid's leadership shouldn't be questioned when it comes to this, with the recent offensive stumbles being the only thing that could be held against the head coach. Pointing to a lack of joint practices isn't realistic when the Chiefs' record-setting seasons under Mahomes offensively opted to ignore this as well.
Chiefs fans shouldn't be concerned with Andy Reid's choice to ignore joint practice opportunity
Reid is 186-72 since joining the franchise with 26 playoff wins and three Super Bowl victories. This level of winning leaves little open to questioning, as the franchise has set the standard since Mahomes joined. Even in the season before the quarterback took over, Reid's offense was clicking under Alex Smith and made an impressive run to the playoffs.
With this in mind, any negative reactions to a lack of joint practices being scheduled is summer boredom setting in. We are still a month away from training camp opening and having any real tape or headlines to grasp onto. Seeing Kansas City yet again opt to ignore a joint practice opportunity at least offers a conversation piece.
This is as deep as the reaction should be with Reid having more than enough of a resume to earn the trust of fans. Even if they are doubting an aging coach, there is nothing in Reid's history that suggests opting not to schedule joint practices has hurt the franchise. It was true in each of the team's seasons ahead of a Super Bowl run and remains true as we move closer to the 2026 season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google