There is apparently at least a chance that Super Bowl 57 could be Andy Reid’s final game on an NFL sideline. The Kansas City Chiefs head coach did not rule out retiring after the Super Bowl, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, who reported Reid said, “I’ll have a decision I’ll need to make.”
Will Andy Reid Retire After Super Bowl 57?
Clearly, Reid’s statement to Glazer is far from a definitive declaration. Reid is 64 years old and has been an NFL head coach for nearly a quarter-century. He’s been coaching in some capacity for more than 40 years. As he approaches a potential second Super Bowl victory, it’s only natural that he’s at least considered the idea of walking away.
Reid has previously said he’s open to coaching into his 70s. In 2020, Patrick Mahomes said Reid told him he plans to be the Chiefs’ head coach for the duration of Mahomes’ recent contract extension, which runs through the 2031 season.
“I still get to [the] Fourth of July, and all of a sudden, the juices start going,” Reid said in August 2022. “And you’re going, ‘Man, I can’t wait to get back and get this thing going.’ So I’m still feeling that.”
Reid is still the best head coach in the NFL, and the allure of working with the game’s most talented quarterback for several more years has to hold a lot of appeal.
Still, Reid doesn’t have much left to accomplish in the NFL ranks. He’s fifth all-time in wins, behind only Don Shula, George Halas, Bill Belichick, and Tom Landry. Reid is only three victories behind Landry, so he would surpass the former Dallas Cowboys head coach if he chooses to return next season.
Reid, who led the Philadelphia Eagles for 14 seasons before taking over the Chiefs in 2013, is the only head coach in history to post 100 wins with two franchises. He’s managed 31 playoff wins, second only to Belichick.
Reid is already a surefire Hall of Famer, and a second Lombardi Trophy would only cement his legacy as one of the NFL’s most innovative head coaches. No one wants to see Reid leave the league while he’s still in his coaching prime, but there’s something to be said for going out on top.
Who Could Replace Reid as the Chiefs’ Head Coach?
If Reid decides to retire, the Chiefs’ head coaching job would instantly become the most-coveted NFL vacancy in recent memory.
Kansas City has four potential replacements already on staff: offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, special teams coordinator Dave Toub, and senior assistant/quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy.
Bieniemy has interviewed for 15 head coaching jobs over the past five offseasons but has yet to land a job. He’s likely to get shut out again this offseason, but he is still in the running for offensive coordinator roles — with play-calling duties, something he doesn’t have in KC — with other clubs.
Spagnuolo worked under Reid on the Eagles’ staff before eventually becoming the St. Louis Rams’ head coach in 2010. A masterful defensive coordinator, Spagnuolo has maintained interest in securing another head coaching position, but he hasn’t had those opportunities as of late.
Toub regularly coordinates excellent Chiefs special-teams units, and he’s received head coaching interest in the past, a rarity for an ST coach. Nagy offers head coaching experience, although his tenure with the Chicago Bears (2018-2021) was largely a disappointment.
Mike Kafka, the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator who previously served as the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach, could be another option. Kakfa is still in the running to replace Kliff Kingsbury as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, but the Chiefs’ vacancy would clearly be more tantalizing.
Reid has one of the most extensive coaching trees in the NFL, so Kansas City could go back to the Reid well if it wants to. But given the presence of Mahomes and the stability in the front office and ownership suite, the Chiefs could conceivably land almost any candidate on the market.
How Much Money Would Reid Lose If He Retires?
Reid is believed to earn $12.5 million per season, which would place him behind Belichick ($20 million), Pete Carroll ($15 million), and Sean McVay ($14 million).
The Chiefs announced extensions for Reid and general manager Brett Veach in November 2020, and both decision-makers are thought to be tied to Kansas City through 2025. If Reid forgoes three additional seasons of salary, he could sacrifice roughly $37.5 million by retiring.