The Kansas City Chiefs have gone 43-21 in the regular season over the past four years under head coach Andy Reid, which not only ranks among the best in the NFL over that time, but it completely flips what the Chiefs had accomplished in the four years prior to his arrival (23-41).
Heading into his fifth season and returning the majority of a roster that finished 12-4 and won the AFC West division last year, which was arguably the toughest in the entire league, Reid said he embraces the high expectations that have been placed on this team, both internally and externally.
"I love that, man," Reid noted after Thursday's OTA (Organized Team Activities) practice. "Put them as high as you want and let's go. You've still got to come out, do all the fundamental stuff and work your tail off. I love that. I love that we're playing Thursday night against the World Champions.
"How great is that? That's great."
The Chiefs open the 2017 regular season against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football. They get a measuring stick right off the bat.
Before the Chiefs can worry too much about the Patriots, they will go through the 10 OTA practices allowed by NFL rules over the next three weeks.
On Thursday, the Chiefs finished up their third OTA practice of the year.
"It's good to get these guys out here," Reid added. "They're working, they've got their helmets on and we can sort of go offense against defense, which is a positive. They're challenging each other, that's how you get better. You're not just going through exercises."
In Phase Three of the NFL's offseason program, which is what OTAs are and what the Chiefs did this week, all NFL teams are allowed to have the offense go up against the defense in 1-on-1. 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills.
Before Phase Three, the two sides of the ball had to work separately, so this is the first time these guys have been able to get out there and really compete against one another.
As we've seen over the past three days, there's a lot of pride for these guys on winning any rep, drill or day, for their side of the ball.
"I expect them to compete, first of all," Reid explained. "Without knocking people on the ground and banging people around. I expect them to compete. Whatever exercise we're doing, whether it's an individual period or a team period, let's go. Then we get better."
Kansas City Chiefs players and coaches work during day two of OTA's on Wednesday.
Heading into his 18th year as an NFL head coach, Reid, who joked that talking with the media isn't necessarily what he loves to do, explained what he loves about coaching—particularly this time of the year.
"I enjoy teaching," Reid said. "It doesn't matter the position. I enjoy teaching and that's why I do this."
The Chiefs return next Tuesday for their fourth OTA practice.
