The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis, marking the first official league gathering of the offseason.
The event – which is essentially the ultimate job interview for NFL Draft hopefuls – also provided the first media availability for Kansas City Chiefs' Head Coach Andy Reid and General Manager Brett Veach since the festivities surrounding Super Bowl LVII concluded.
Here are a few topics of discussion that stood out.
1. Reid announced that Pass Game Analyst/Assistant QBs Coach David Girardi was being promoted to Quarterback Coach.
When asked to discuss what he had been working on in the weeks since the Super Bowl, Reid explained that filling out his coaching staff has been the main priority. That included the promotion of Senior Assistant & Quarterback Coach Matt Nagy to Offensive Coordinator, leaving a vacancy at Nagy's previous position. As of Tuesday, that position is now filled.
"David [Girardi] will work into [that role]," Reid said. "I went through an interview process there…He's the natural fit there, and that's what he'll be doing."
Girardi spent the last two seasons with the title of Pass Game Analyst/Assistant Quarterbacks Coach. Prior to that, he was an offensive quality control coach in Kansas City for three seasons.
2. Reid also shared well wishes to former Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who departed for the Washington Commanders last week.
"I'm so happy for EB to have a chance to put his name on an offense. This is his [offense] now. He's working for [Head Coach] Ron Rivera, who is a dear friend, and more of a defensive head coach, so this allows EB to do his thing," Reid said. "I'm happy for him. I'm wishing him luck with that, and I'm also wishing him luck going forward. Obviously, we were trying to get him to be a head coach, and it didn't work out that way, but it's not over yet. I think he's going to do a heck of a job there, and [he'll] really show his personality within the offense."
Bieniemy, who spent five seasons as the Chiefs' Offensive Coordinator from 2018-22, will hold the title of Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator in Washington.
3. Reid was asked specifically about wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, who are each entering their second season with the Chiefs in 2023.
"I think both of them – Skyy and KT – will probably have bigger roles. They'll be more familiar with the offense mainly, so you can utilize them in different ways," Reid said. "Both of them are very talented, and I really like their attitude toward the game. We'll see how that goes once we get to OTAs and camp."
Moore – the No. 54 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft – caught 22 passes for 250 yards in 2022, but he saved his best work for the playoffs. First, Moore tallied a 29-yard punt return in the final minute of the AFC Championship Game that eventually set up the Chiefs' game-winning field goal. Then, just two weeks later, Moore hauled in a 4-yard touchdown in Super Bowl LVII.
Toney, who joined the Chiefs via trade in late October, also had a postseason to remember. The former first-round pick caught a 5-yard touchdown in Super Bowl LVII before recording the longest punt return in Super Bowl history – a 65-yard dash – that set up Moore's touchdown a few snaps later. The 24-year-old Toney caught 14 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns for Kansas City during the regular season.
Both players appear in line for additional opportunities moving forward.
4. Lastly, Reid noted why he believes the Combine is an important event for the Chiefs' player evaluation staff as they collectively prepare for the 2023 Draft.
"It's your first opportunity to visit with these guys, which I think is good. People [may] say that the answers are canned – well, they're not. It depends on what you're asking them, and how you maneuver around that and present things to them," Reid said. "You get a little taste of what they're about. For the coaches, it's the first opportunity to meet with them, and it goes from there…That's what this is good for."
The on-field drills at the Combine begin on March 2 and will be televised on NFL Network. For more on the event, click here.
5. Veach was asked about pending free agent left tackle Orlando Brown Jr, and if using the franchise tag for a second-consecutive year was on the table.
"It's an option. We went through this last year, and as always, it's more beneficial for us to get something done that's long-term. That's why this offseason is so important for us, and this is the start," Veach said. "We'll have a lot of dialogue. The Combine is great to come in and check out the new college talent, but a lot of the time here is spent talking with the agents of our players. So, we'll start exchanging information. Now, unlike last year, I think we have a runway to work with, and we've gotten to know his team a little bit better. We're excited to get that process started here, and hopefully we can get something figured out."
Remaining on the topic of players currently on the roster, Veach was also asked about defensive end Frank Clark, who could potentially be a candidate for a re-worked deal.
"We have a long history with him and his agent, so he will be one of the many conversations we have this week," Veach said. "We're looking forward to getting with him and seeing if we can work something out that makes sense for both parties."
That process – from roster decisions to building out the Chiefs' draft board – truly begins over the next several days in Indianapolis.
