Chiefs star credits Andy Reid's brilliance for always being open

Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce revealed the key to him always being open, and it is the brilliance of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and the offensive system he has created in Kansas City. 

“Why am I always open? I say it all the time, Andy Reid, baby. Big Red,” said Kelce on Thursday.

"He can dial stuff up at the right time, create some things at the right time, and then on top of that everybody’s doing their jobs. It’s not just a me go out there and get open type play. I’m sure you guys like to think that, but there’s a lot of madness to it, and there’s a lot of guys doing their jobs for the big picture. I’m fortunate that I’m playing here, for sure.”

Reid is regarded as one of the best offensive minds in modern NFL history and has consistently put together outstanding offenses throughout his head coaching career in Philadelphia and now Kansas City.

It also brings up an interesting discussion that doesn't get talked about enough when discussing great players (and busts on the opposite end of the spectrum). And that is how much the environment a player is drafted into helps set the tone for their career.

There is no doubt that Kelce is a supreme athlete at tight end, and he was a very high pick in his draft year, going in the third round. But what would Kelce's career look like today if he did not go to a team coached by Reid that ultimately drafted a mega-star quarterback in Patrick Mahomes?

Given Kelce's talent he would probably still be an excellent player no matter where he ended up, but the combination of Reid and Mahomes has helped him blossom into an all-time great. That might not happen if he goes to, say, Cleveland. Or Carolina. Or any other run-of-the-mill NFL team that does not have that sort of coaching staff and quarterback support.

That is not meant to diminish what Kelce has accomplished. He is a superstar and on track to be one of the best ever to play his position, and he still has to catch the football and make the plays. But there is also an element of luck and good fortune at play, and everybody involved in Kansas City has made the most of it.