Andy Reid roundup: Four takeaways from the Chiefs head coach

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid met with the media over Zoom conference call Monday, a day after the team’s 32-29 win over the New Orleans Saints. Watch the full presser above or by clicking here.

Reid noted the team had no further update on the status of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Here were the most significant takeaways:

Reid complimented the play of his depth players, including rookie L’Jarius Sneed, who registered an interception, sack and three passes defensed vs. New Orleans.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach managed to snag Sneed out of Louisiana Tech in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft.

“Both his position coaches and then Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) and Brett were real high on him, so we kind of did the waiting game,” said Reid. “Brett did what he does—I mean, he’s got a real knack for knowing where and when guys are potentially going to be picked, so we waited a little bit there and it worked out for us. But the guys, everybody saw this talent in the kid and thought that he could work in. Now, what we didn’t think was that he would be playing nickel for us. That’s a tough spot, that’s way different than the corner spot. So, when he came back from the injury, we moved him back into the inside position and there’s a whole lot of learning going on there, and what you’re seeing now is him getting the hang of this and things are picking up again for him.”

Sneed played outside cornerback at the beginning of the season, when the Chiefs were without No. 21, Bashaud Breeland, due to a suspension.

“He did a nice job when 21 was out for those couple games there that he stepped in and did a good job at corner. But again, this whole nickel thing, that’s a different animal, so he’s been in there and he’s just kind of getting the feel. I mean, again, we’re all witnessing it right here in front of us, but he did a nice job [Sunday].”

Reid shared why he is confident in running back Le’Veon Bell, who may need to take over as the lead back moving forward after Edwards-Helaire’s injury.

The head coach has talked about how bright the veteran back has been when it comes to learning the playbook.

“He’s really intelligent,” said Reid of Bell. “He loves playing, so that’s the positive part and that’s why he’s been able to pick it up so fast. But just where you kind of know your guys and then the blocking schemes, you got to learn those, and you have to have enough reps on to get that feel that these guys have. So that’s why I wished I had him just a little bit earlier, but we’re good.”

Reid sounded like he believes Bell has enough of the playbook down now to handle what would be the top responsibility at the position — if need be.

“[Bell’s] in a good place, he can see it and feel it now and so we’ll be OK there if Clyde, you know, can’t go. If Clyde can, then we’ve got [Bell] in there rotating and that’s been beneficial.”

Reid joked about Patrick Mahomes’ new Twitter profile picture, a younger version of himself during his playing days.

A recent trend among Chiefs players has been to make their Twitter avatar an old picture of one of their teammates (Tyreek Hill recently had fellow receiver Demarcus Robinson). On Monday, Mahomes made his picture one of a young Reid.

“These guys like each other,” said Reid. “I mean they are around each other so much, but they like each other, and you know, I told Patrick thanks for letting me feel young for one more day. I mean, that was great, so I had hair, the whole deal, actually veins in the arm, that’s not bad.

“So, I mean, feel a little bit good and then the fact that they feel comfortable doing that, I think is important. The more you like the people you’re around, I think the better the atmosphere and the more you want to come to work and get yourself better. So, I appreciate all that they do.”

Reid discussed the play of his offensive line against the Saints.

Because of Mike Remmers’ back injury, the Chiefs started Stefen Wisniewski at right guard and shifted Andrew Wylie from right guard to right tackle.

“I think they did a pretty nice job for the most part,” said Reid. “I talked to both of them after the game, and they’ll tell you there’s a couple they’d like to have back — yeah, absolutely. But I mean, asking them to do what they did and Wiz is coming off an injury so it’s really his first time in pads when you think about it, I mean since game one or week one and for him to step in and do a respectable job I thought was good.

“Then Wylie, too. I mean, that’s not easy when you’re out on that edge. That’s a little different deal out there so, but I thought he handled it well. Like I said, there are couple of snaps they’d like to have back, but I think overall they did a pretty good job and when they had to bear down that fourth quarter that they did that so worked out ok.”