Chiefs owner makes guarantee about future of Andy Reid amid retirement rumors

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid became the subject of retirement rumors before he guided the franchise to a third Super Bowl championship across five seasons last February. 

With the Chiefs now on the cusp of possibly becoming the first team in history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions, team owner Clark Hunt wants it known that Reid won't be riding off into the sunset anytime soon. 

"I know for a fact he’s going to be back next year," Hunt said about Reid while speaking with reporters on Monday night, as shared by Mark Maske of The Washington Post. "So we’ll get there when we get there. But I think Andy loves what he’s doing and is going to do it for a long time."

Back in October, Hunt insisted that Reid could "absolutely" remain the Chiefs head coach "for another five years," in part because the three-time Super Bowl champion who turns 67 years old in March was "rejuvenated" by "the success of the team in the last few years and having one of the most special quarterbacks of all time" in Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes turned just 29 years old this past September, is under contract through the 2031 season and could become a four-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player this coming Sunday. 

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Mahomes as the betting favorite at +120 odds to claim the MVP Award for the Super Bowl LIX matchup versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

Per Maria Francis of the USA Today Network, Reid's 301 career wins are good for the fourth most in NFL history (regular season and postseason combined). Don Shula tops the list with 347 victories, followed by Bill Belichick (333). It seems as of this winter that Belichick won't ever receive another opportunity to earn a win at the highest level. 

"I was always surprised when I heard those rumors because I know how much fun Andy’s having," Hunt added on Monday about the retirement whispers that previously hovered over the Chiefs. "You know, in a lot of ways I think he’s rejuvenated by the success the team’s had. Certainly, he’s matched with the quarterback that’s a perfect complement for him in Patrick. And I know he loves what he’s doing. I’m glad we haven’t heard any of those rumors this year."

According to Kevin Patra of the NFL's website, Reid said on Monday evening that he is "not retiring" this offseason. Even if the Chiefs fall to the Eagles, Kansas City should again be viewed as a championship contender by the time September rolls around.