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Before the 9-2 Chiefs traveled to Oakland to take on the 2-9 Raiders, head coach Jon Gruden discussed his relationship with coach Andy Reid, game expectations and Reid’s role in developing Patrick Mahomes this past week.
Here’s what he said:
On Andy Reid’s role in shaping great NFL coaches:
“I really think one his greatest skills is hiring the right people,” Gruden said. “He’s not one of those guys who just meets some guy at the combine and hires him. He’s going to interview a number of people and make sure he hires people that come from great stock and have similar backgrounds that he has.”
On what sets Andy Reid apart:
“Reid beat me to the office every day and he stayed later,” Gruden reminisced. “He just loves football more than me. He’s one of the few guys I know in my life that actually liked football more than me. That’s what I love about him and admire about him the most. He’s been able to maintain his passion, his leadership. It’s really a credit to him and really a big part of why the Chiefs and the Eagles and wherever he’s been have been successful.”
On expectations for the game:
“I know what we’re in for,” Gruden stated matter-of-factly. “I know what his record is. I know what the Chiefs are right now. I know what they’re capable of doing. I know what the point spread is. I know a lot about what I see on tape. I don’t care about what’s happened in the past. I know Andy Reid coming off of a bye week is a problem and this Chiefs team that I’m studying is really, really good. I’m sure they’re really fresh. I’m sure he’s managed the bye like he always does. We’re going to get their best shot and we have to be ready.”
On the relationship between Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes:
“Andy Reid has put no limitations on him,” Gruden said. “You see the guy change plays at the line of scrimmage, they’re running speed options, lead options, they’re running no-huddle plays, no back plays, quads into the boundaries and multiple shifts. They’re not shrinking the offense for some first-year starter he’s put everything you can imagine on this kids plate and he has unleashed him. That’s a sign of a coach who has great confidence in his quarterback.”