Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks plans for Rashee Rice suspension ahead of Brazil Chargers matchup
Reid said Friday that they are working to round out the team before the official start of the season.
Listen, we look forward to the challenge of playing the Chargers. It’s obviously, um, it’s in Brazil. We look forward to traveling south there and, um, having an opportunity to play internationally. It’s, uh, quite *** privilege. So, um, we’re kind of rounding the team out now as we put all the pieces together for practice squad and Um, and, and then finalizing that part of it, so we can get underway. Today is an off day for the players and very similar to *** Monday. And then we’ll start *** normal week here starting tomorrow. And um get ourselves ready to. To travel on Thursday or Wednesday, and then Thursday, we’ll have *** walkthrough down in Brazil there and they play on Friday. So we’re one week away from it and we’re uh Again, looking forward to putting this week together here. Anyways, I, I don’t have any injuries. Uh, Jay and continues to work, um. Uh, to, to get himself better. Uh, you know, there, there’s, we’ll see how it goes. I mean, it’ll be ***, it’d be *** real rush, uh, for this week for sure. So it doesn’t look like he’ll probably make this week, but, um, should be. You know, should be ready to go as we go down the road here. So, anyways, so that time’s yours. We’ll go ahead and start with Pete Sweeney. I got you. I’ll have one other one if I can. Um, big part of your, uh, program is the routine, and I know you talked *** little bit about the schedule, I guess is there any more little details that you’re trying to, to implement here to make it as routine as possible, just get on your plane on Friday night in Brazil? Sure. So if you take tomorrow and just pretend like it’s *** Tuesday, today would be *** Monday, tomorrow’s *** Tuesday. We’ll we’ll go through the week, uh, off of that type of *** schedule. And then we’ll just block out that Wednesday as *** travel day. I mean, it’s, it’s, it’s *** 10 hour plus trip there. So, um, that one we’ll just give, give to the, give to the airlines, and then, uh, we’ll go ahead and pick it back up on, on Thursday down there and, uh, do the walkthrough part of it. And then the rest of it will stay consistent. We’ll, we’ll try to keep the times consistent. There’s only *** two-hour difference, so. Uh, we should be able to keep things, you know, relatively consistent, uh, going forward. And then the other one I, I know you have your doubts about Royals and, and it seems like Juju might be the next in line to fill that role, I guess in, in your eyes, what makes him so well positioned for that. Yeah, well, Gigi had *** great camp and he’s in, I mean, he mentioned you guys, he’s in the best shape he’s been in in *** long time. So he, he feels very good and, uh, we, we, uh, we have *** lot of trust in him, but most of all, Patrick has *** lot of trust in him. Uh, so, yeah, no, he can fill in that, that role for sure. And then you’ve got *** healthy Hollywood and Um, they, they can play for you and. Ty came out and had *** good camp for us, so, you know, he, he’s another one, you know. We’ll go next to Jessie Newell. Hey, Andy, there’s been some big news since we last talked to you. Um, I know you’ve known both Travis and Taylor for *** long time. I just kind of wondered what you thought about, uh, hearing that news and what you thought about that for them. Yeah, Jesse, listen, I’m happy for him. I’m, you know, the, uh, it’s hard to find somebody that you fall in love with, and that’s not an easy thing and To, to, to really fall in love and it seems like they’re there and, uh, I think it’s *** great, great deal for both of them, and they like being around each other and, uh, you know, that’s, that’s, uh, that’s *** plus, I think. Uh, they’re both busy people in their own right, and, uh, and, and both are very famous in their own right. So, it’s kind of neat to, that they come together and handle themselves the way they do. We’ll go next to Sam McDowell. Hey Andy, um, since we last chatted with you, uh, uh, Rosie’s suspension has, has been made official. What, what’s just been the process of preparing for both scenarios, particularly, uh, week one. Yeah, Sam, I mean, you know, we had, uh, an idea that something was gonna happen and, you know, whether it was now or later, doesn’t, doesn’t necessarily matter, but that something was gonna happen and it would probably be around that 6 game area. And, uh, so, uh, we went about business, full steam ahead, rotated guys in, everybody got *** chance to, to play that we’ll, we’ll have an opportunity to play here and, uh, So, uh, uh, I think it was good for Rashi, um, to get the practice in. He’ll be away for 3 weeks, and then he’ll be back in the building after that, uh, to be able to work out here and just do everything but not practice. So, and then we’ll get him back in, in the after 6 weeks. So, but we’ve got guys that are capable of playing here. They, we just have to go out and do it. Not that you don’t miss Rashi. I mean, he’s *** heck of *** football player, but We have um we have other guys that are good, good players too, so this what what just stands out about the camp that Rosie did have though. Yeah, he had, he had Roger camp, um, uh, who kept himself in the right frame of mind to where he could work. He wasn’t moping around, uh, stayed positive. He’s trying to do the right things, first of all, I’ve I mentioned somewhere that, uh, you know, she’s got *** real good heart and, um, you know, it’s uh, it’s unfortunate that it happened. Thank goodness, people weren’t, weren’t hurt, obviously, but Uh, lesson learned, and you, you move on and, uh, Try to, try to move ahead, uh, you know, in ***, in *** positive manner, and, and so far he’s, he’s done *** nice job with that. We’ll go next to Surin Petro. Uh, and I’ll have *** quick follow up to, uh, if I could, coach, uh, just the process of like, you’re not finding out till really, I know you’ve got *** full week, but, you know, and kind of having *** game plan. I know you do *** lot of stuff in advance, not knowing whether you would or wouldn’t, uh, and the other team has to do that as well, right? Like, do we plan for him or not plan for him? How much does that, uh, add to, uh, you know, the game planning sessions and how much does it make it more difficult for you, but also for the opponent not knowing what they’re gonna face. Yes, sir, and I, I think we’re, uh, we were OK with it because of the rotation that we had going. We were prepared for it. We don’t have to change *** lot of things. We’ve, um, moving forward in what we were putting in the game plan. So, um, and then as far as, uh, their part goes, uh, you know, last year, our first game against them, they were missing one of their big players on defense and Um, you know, they made their adjustments that they need to make and life, life moved on. So, uh, they’re familiar with how to handle situations like this too. And, in this, in the NFL. So and, as you know, man, uh, you gotta be ready for, for change, and changes happen rapidly and whether it’s an injury or *** suspension or something of that sort, you gotta be ready to go and still play at *** high level. So our guys, you know, the guys are excited to play and get going on this thing. Um, and then as far as, uh, the travel and the schedule, and you guys have had to play on every single different day and every different amount of time. And I know coaches are kind of creatures of habits. You’d probably like to play at noon every Sunday and, you know, be able to have your routine, but does that allow, you know, stronger teams, stronger coaching staffs to, to shine when there is because both teams have to deal with it. So does it really kind of bring out the, the best of the best when you’re, you’re put into situations that aren’t ideal for *** staff? Yeah, if you, I think, you know, it’s *** little bit of *** frame of mind. I think if you, if you say it’s, uh, you’re being honored to actually do this, uh, uh, because you’re doing well, and that’s the way you approach it. It’s an honor to have an overseas game and to be able to go to Brazil. And, and then, as opposed to, oh my gosh, what are we, what are they giving us? You know, that, that attitude didn’t get you anywhere. So, Um, you take the schedule and you turn that same thing into *** positive. We’re, we’re blessed to play these teams, some of these teams, most of them in this league are, are just tremendous football teams and, and, uh, and the parity, and it’s crazy. So it really doesn’t matter who you’re playing, uh, or really when you’re playing, you just take it in your role. They’re doing the same thing you’re doing. Let’s go next to Nick Jacobs. And Cindy, I’ll have *** follow up if I can, please. Uh, Andy, with the first week and kind of the first month, what kind of tempo or the key to is it to setting *** tempo in that first week and month? Yeah, it’s um, well, it’s always good to come off and get *** good start for sure, um. Uh, I think we’re all, uh, all 32 of us are trying to do that, you know, come out of the gates and, and play well. Uh, however, you know, when they say, you know, you, you lose, you use that old line mastermind thing and, and you say you’d better take every week as its own, own, uh, separate thing, you better keep pounding as you go through, uh, through the year. So, Um, but you sure would like to come out and play well, I mean, for sure, yeah. And then from *** team identity perspective, from your experience, how long do you feel it kind of takes for the team to kind of get into who they are for that year? Yeah, uh I, uh, normally it takes *** little bit, you know, *** couple of weeks to kinda get in the swing. I think all the team. Uh oh, sorry, coach, don’t want to interrupt you. That muted for some reason. Hm. How’s that? Now we’re good. All right. Did Nick get what he needed, or am I still on the neck? Go ahead, Nick. It, it cut out most of your answer, coach. All right, hit me again with *** question. Oh, are you there? Now he is. All right, um, yeah, for, from an identity perspective, what, how long do you, do you feel like it takes to get to that point for? Yeah, yeah, normally it takes *** couple of weeks, uh, Nick. And so, and I think that’s probably for most teams. Now we’ve got *** lot of guys coming back, so, um, you know, maybe that cuts it down *** little bit, but Just to get yourself in rhythm and now you’re taking it up *** notch from. Uh, from what you’re doing in training camp and so sometimes you gotta work through that just *** tick, but um you should be OK there. OK, we’ve got one more question. Go ahead, Todd. Coach, *** couple things here if I could. Um, what’s your, you know, anticipation level for, for getting Josh out there playing left tackle in *** regular season game? He’s passed every test so far. Uh, you know, it’s gonna, gonna change *** little bit in this one. How excited are you to see it in action? Yeah, Todd, I think, um, I, I, I think we just let them go, get them out there, let them get this experience going forward. This group’s got two good defensive ends, and, um, So, we, you know, it’ll be *** nice challenge for him. Uh, and I’ll probably be saying that every week through the, the season here, but it’s his first year, so they’re gonna be things that he’s, he hasn’t seen before and he’s got to fight through that. Uh, but he’s *** talented kid and he, he’s willing. He, he wants to do well, um, and he’s worked very hard, excuse me, he’s worked very hard to get himself into this position right here, uh, to be, to be the starter. So, uh, I, I told him after training camp, my hat, my hat goes off to the kid for, he didn’t miss *** day, uh, from the time he started in the OTAs till. Uh, throughout this camp where he’s just, he’s tried to bear down, but there’ll be, you know, there’ll be some things in there, some hiccups in there, I’m sure, but he, he, he sure is willing to, uh, to play. The same thing with Kingsley, he looks like he’s made really good progression for you throughout the camp to the position change. I mean, is it like ***, you know, little Christmas morning, so you want to see this and with the real stuff going? Yeah, I know Kingsley’s worked very hard, uh, this offseason. Uh, he feels comfortable in there at that spot, um, but I tell you, it’s new, and there are gonna be things in there. He seems to be working well with Creed and Josh, and, uh, but again, this is *** good defense, one of the top defenses in the league last year, and now, you know, they, they, they’ve got to step into that and play, play good football. And so that’s what we’re gonna practice, um, each week here and hopefully, the continuity, uh, continues to grow there with the three of them. OK, uh, one last one before we let you go. Omar Ruiz with NFL Network coach. Hey Andy, good to see you. Omar, yes, thank you. What’s going on? Good seeing you. As uh as many big games and and different international stages as you’ve guys had played over the years, do you still have to kind of prepare them for the emotional, you know, magnitude of *** game, or do you just kind of let them rely on their experiences through that? Yeah, Omar, you know what I, I think that when you play these international games in particular, your juices are going, especially when it’s the first game, your juices are going, yes. Uh, but it’s also the noise. Is it gonna be, uh, you gotta be ready for *** silent count, you gotta be ready for, you know, your normal snap count. Um, you know, I, I just watched the Nebraska Cincinnati game. They played right here at Arrowhead and at Cincinnati was the home team, but all the Nebraska people were here and it was louder and I’ll get up for that. So you just have to, you, you can have *** little bit of that where it’s just this constant noise, um. And, and you gotta be ready, ready for that part of it. So on both sides of the ball really. Sure, thank you. Yeah, you bet. OK, thank you, coach. That’s all we have for you. OK, great, thanks.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks plans for Rashee Rice suspension ahead of Brazil Chargers matchup
Reid said Friday that they are working to round out the team before the official start of the season.
Updated: 2:23 PM CDT Aug 29, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid says the team’s focus is officially on the Week 1 matchup in Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers.In a news briefing Friday, Reid said it’s a privilege for the team to play internationally and they are looking forward to heading south next week. “We’re kind of rounding the team out now as we put all the pieces together for (a) practice squad,” Reid said, “and then finalizing that part of it so we can get underway.”The goal for the team, Reid said, was to keep things as routine as possible.What will not be routine, however, is how the team will start the season in the wide receiver position. Since the last time Reid spoke to reporters, the official suspension for wideout Rashee Rice was handed down by the league.Rice will miss the first six games of the season and be required to spend several weeks away from the team after his suspension for legal troubles in Texas.Last month, Rice admitted to one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and one count of racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He entered a guilty plea and earned a 30-day jail sentence plus five years of probation.Reid said JuJu Smith-Schuster has been working to fill that role. “He’s in the best shape he’s been in in a long time,” Reid said, “So, he feels very good and we have a lot of trust in him. But most of all, Patrick has a lot of trust in him.”Reid went on to say, “And then you’ve got a healthy Hollywood that can play for you and Ty came out and had a good camp for us. So, you know he’s another one.”Regardless, Reid said, the Rice suspension was not a surprise. “He had a real good camp,” Reid said, adding that Rice kept himself in the right frame of mind despite the looming suspension. “He wasn’t moping around. Stayed positive. He’s trying to do the right things, first of all, I’ve mentioned somewhere that you know, Rashee’s got a real good heart.”It’s unfortunate that it happened. Thank goodness people weren’t hurt, obviously, but lesson learned. And you move on and try to move ahead. You know, in a positive manner. And so far, he’s done a nice job with that.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid says the team’s focus is officially on the Week 1 matchup in Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In a news briefing Friday, Reid said it’s a privilege for the team to play internationally and they are looking forward to heading south next week.
“We’re kind of rounding the team out now as we put all the pieces together for (a) practice squad,” Reid said, “and then finalizing that part of it so we can get underway.”
The goal for the team, Reid said, was to keep things as routine as possible.
What will not be routine, however, is how the team will start the season in the wide receiver position. Since the last time Reid spoke to reporters, the official suspension for wideout Rashee Rice was handed down by the league.
Rice will miss the first six games of the season and be required to spend several weeks away from the team after his suspension for legal troubles in Texas.
Last month, Rice admitted to one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and one count of racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He entered a guilty plea and earned a 30-day jail sentence plus five years of probation.
Reid said JuJu Smith-Schuster has been working to fill that role.
“He’s in the best shape he’s been in in a long time,” Reid said, “So, he feels very good and we have a lot of trust in him. But most of all, Patrick [Mahomes] has a lot of trust in him.”
Reid went on to say, “And then you’ve got a healthy Hollywood [Brown] that can play for you and Ty [Tyquan Thornton] came out and had a good camp for us. So, you know he’s another one.”
Regardless, Reid said, the Rice suspension was not a surprise.
“He had a real good camp,” Reid said, adding that Rice kept himself in the right frame of mind despite the looming suspension. “He wasn’t moping around. Stayed positive. He’s trying to do the right things, first of all, I’ve mentioned somewhere that you know, Rashee’s got a real good heart.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened. Thank goodness people weren’t hurt, obviously, but lesson learned. And you move on and try to move ahead. You know, in a positive manner. And so far, he’s done a nice job with that.”