![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) in action with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the first half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_337,w_2574,h_1447/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/220/01k4jn5d8tvjb78vc2r4.jpg "[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) in action with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the first half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images")
There's no hiding how disappointing second-year safety Jaden Hicks was in the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He was the worst-ranked player on the team at Pro Football Focus, and it's fair to wonder if general manager Brett Veach made a mistake by letting Justin Reid walk in free agency.
It's fair to expect growing pains from guys like Hicks and Bryan Cook, who are the youngest pair of safeties to start for Kansas City during Veach's tenure. Friday night was a terrible performance, though the organization believes in the pair's development moving forward.
Despite Hicks' struggles, Reid himself took to social media to support his former teammate and give him the motivation he needed to put Week 1 behind him.
Jaden Hicks is a star in this league. I’ve seen firsthand what this kid can do.
— Justin Reid (@JustinqReid) September 6, 2025
One game does not define any player, coach or team. There are a ton of plays for a bunch of players on both sides of the ball to learn from.
Former Chiefs S Justin Reid Supports Jaden Hicks After Terrible Week 1 Game
Considering the heat that Hicks is catching, Reid showed his leadership with a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) declaring his belief in the 23-year-old defensive back.
"Jaden Hicks is a star in this league. I’ve seen firsthand what this kid can do," Reid wrote. "One game does not define any player, coach or team. There are a ton of plays for a bunch of players on both sides of the ball to learn from."
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has some work to do with this unit. The pass rush was terrible, and the secondary was frequently exposed by an excellent performance from Justin Herbert. With games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens coming up in the next few weeks, the Chiefs are suddenly looking at a potential 1-3 start if they don't turn things around.
Hicks was considered by many fans to be the biggest "breakout" candidate of the season. He's physical and notched three interceptions last year, showcasing his skills as a ballhawk. Regardless, Week 1 was a poor start. It'll be a learning experience, and Hicks will be better for it, though it's hard to feel confident in the safety group after spending the last six years with Tyrann Mathieu and Reid.
Even though Reid is no longer with the team, he's still making his impact felt. There's a reason he's such a good leader, and it's clear that the locker room misses him. For a fourth-round pick like Hicks stepping into massive responsibility, these words from Reid go a long way.
We'll see if Hicks improves in Week 2, hosting the Eagles in a Super Bowl matchup, but at this point, all we can hope for is that Reid's words provide the motivation Hicks needs. He has all of the potential in the world, though he simply must be better if Kansas City is going to reach its goals this year.