Andy Reid’s retirement will have to wait.
Before, and especially after, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Reid’s potential retirement became a point of speculation in NFL circles.
But the Chiefs appear prepared to answer such speculation in the clearest way possible, as they are expected to begin negotiations with Reid on a contract extension within the next several weeks, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
But not just any contract extension.
Kansas City is prepared to make Reid, 65, the highest-paid coach in the NFL, Pelissero reports.
Reid and general manager Brett Veach, who also could be in line for an extension, signed contracts that would keep the duo in Kansas City through the 2025 season following the team’s Super Bowl victory in February 2020.
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But Reid’s value has since gone up, as he has led the Chiefs to four straight AFC title games, three more Super Bowl berths and back to back championships since the ink dried on that contract.
Pelissero notes that Reid ranks approximately eighth in terms of average annual salary among NFL coaches—and third in the AFC West, a division he’s won eight straight times.
In other words, Reid has earned another payday.
Reid began his NFL career as an assistant and quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers, working closely with Brett Favre in the 1990s. He then made the leap to head coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999.
Reid, who recently confirmed he would be returning for the 2024 season, will be entering his 26th season as an NFL coach. He ranks fourth in regular-season career wins with 258 and second only to Bill Belichick in career playoff wins with 26.
