Andy Reid hypes up Justin Fields after Patrick Mahomes injury timeline admission
Andy Reid is refusing to put a timeline on Patrick Mahomes’ return.
The talismanic quarterback’s season ending knee injury has ensured that a dire 2025 campaign will cast a long shadow over preparations for 2026.
Mahomes is fighting to be fit for Week 1 after having surgery to repair his ACL, and LCL and Reid is pleased with his progress so far.
“He’s doing great,” he told NFL.com. “He spends a ton of time in the building. He’s in there for seven hours a day. It’s showing, the progress.
“Now, to tell you a timeline? I mean, I know what he’s striving for. We’ll just see where it goes from there.”
Reid sounds hopeful that Mahomes has a shot at playing, but he has a backup plan up his sleeve just in case.
Big Red and general manager Brett Veach traded for New York Jets flop Justin Fields, who could make history as the first QB ever to suit up in Week 1 for a different team in four consecutive seasons.
“Well, we snuck out and got a good quarterback to back him up,” Reid said when asked about the Chiefs’ Plan B. “So, if he doesn’t, you know, if he’s not able to make it for the beginning of the season, then we know we’ve got a legitimate backup there that can go win games for us.”
Whether it is a weakened Mahomes working his way back from injury or Fields, there will be question marks under center for the Chiefs.
A dismal rushing attack put far too much pressure on the quarterback last season, the Chiefs paid up despite being tight on cap in order to try and fix that.
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III signed a three-year, $43 million deal — a record for a free agent running back — in order to add some juice.
“He’s a good football player, and it won’t change. He’s not gonna change coming to us,” Reid explained. “He’s still going to be a good football player.
“As long as he stays healthy and moves forward, good things can happen for you.
“We know that the run game’s important and we’ve got good offensive linemen in front of him, so that will be a plus for him. It should be a plus for our football team.”
Travis Kelce has been brought back, but there are still gaps in the Chiefs’ roster — notably at O-line, edge and defensive back after Trent McDuffie joined the Rams.
Kansas City already had a rare top-10 selection and, thanks to the McDuffie trade, will be back on the clock at No. 29.
“I’ve been in positions as a head coach where we’ve replenished the secondary,” Reid said. “At Green Bay, we replenished in the secondary. I’ve been through that and seen it be productive.
“Do you want to lose a (Trent) McDuffie? No, but that’s today’s football. That’s how this thing works today. So, you’ve got to stay flexible, and then you’ve got to put yourself in a position where you can replenish that.
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“We drafted a good kid (Nohl Williams) last year, so I know we’ll continue to work through that this year. I’m really not worried about it. I look forward to seeing who these people are that come in.”
The Chiefs went 6-11 last season and a slow start will lead to questions over Reid’s future despite his three rings.
Sitting out the postseason has given him ample opportunity to plot a revival.
“We’ve had a lot of time to think about it,” Reid said. “This has been a long offseason, but it’s great to reflect, great to go back in and turn what in your mind is a negative, having the end of the season the way we did, into a positive by retooling.
“Making sure that you’re getting healthy — coaches and players — so, stay on top of that. And then go take advantage of it as you work into this next season.”
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