The Kansas City Chiefs are not the healthiest team right now. With just about every key member of the offense battling some form of injury, the team still found a way to take down a strong Cincinnati Bengals team and advance to their third Super Bowl in four years. Head coach Andy Reid appreciates just how hard this was and, during a press conference, heaped praise at the Chiefs players that battled through pain to deliver a victory.
Andy Reid Proud of Chiefs Grit, Work Ethic
Reid began his press conference by updating reporters on the long list of key injured players. “L’Jarius Sneed…had the concussion and then Kadarius Toney’s ankle, he tweaked that. Juju Smith-Schuster’s knee acted up on him from the week and Mecold Hardman gave his best, as did all these guys…Kelce missed the last day of practice and all that stuff.”
That is a long list of valuable players, and Reid only mentioned Patrick Mahomes and his ankle injury in passing during his opening statement. Saying that the win was a “[t]ribute to the work ethic,” Reid mentioned how Sunday’s victory would not have been possible without the Chiefs role players stepping up.
“Skyy More, who had the drop early, was called on to go out there and return and he did a great job with what ended up sealing the game. MVS had a nice day, as did all the receivers…two of [the defensive backs] had interceptions and Bryan Cook helped cause the interception for Josh Williams…I’m sure I am missing people here, but I’m proud of all of them. They did a great job.”
Skyy Moore caught the punt backing up at the 20, and got the Chiefs near FG range with just 30 seconds to play.
We can never quantify what a confidence booster this play will be for the kid. pic.twitter.com/psWgENQWII
— Scott Loring (@ChiefsChannel) January 30, 2023
Reid’s opening statement is a testament to just how strong this Chiefs roster is. Regardless of your opponent, winning in the NFL is never easy. Of course, that level of difficulty rises astronomically when you’re playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl and half your team is battling some sort of injury. While the role players obviously played a huge role, it goes without saying that the Chiefs couldn’t have done it without their two biggest stars.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Perform More Miracles
Anyone that has watched even a minute of the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs knows that Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are the two most important players on the team. Despite entering the game with serious injuries, both Chiefs superstars suited up and played to their usual impressive level, and Andy Reid didn’t take that for granted.
“It was pure grit. He [Patrick Mahomes] and Travis Kelce. For Pat to do what he did and then to have that run at the end. I can’t say enough. He’s the MVP in my eyes.”
In the week leading up to the AFC Championship Game, reports around the league openly wondered if Mahomes would be able to suit up for Sunday’s contest. Reid, however, did not share those concerns. When asked when he knew the quarterback would suit up, the head coach said that “[Mahomes] gave me no reason to think he wasn’t going to play. He didn’t ever miss a snap. Our player, our team, coaches, we are all lucky to have him in that position…he went out and practiced. He pushed off of that thing. He did all the stuff.”
Making it to the Super Bowl is one of the hardest accomplishments in professional football. To do it three times in four years, you need to have an insanely good head coach, quarterback, and roster. Sunday’s victory over the Bengals proved once again that the Chiefs have the best quarterback in the league in Patrick Mahomes, best offensive mind in Andy Reid, and one of the best rosters in football to support the two.
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