Andy Reid: Former Eagles Coach Would Be Better off with Cardinals Than Chiefs

Andy Reid wore out his welcome in Philadelphia, but a change of scenery may be exactly what he needs to rejuvenate his coaching career.

Reid knew his time was nearing an end in Philadelphia. The Eagles started the season 3-1, but dropped 11 of their last 12 games, due in large part to poor offensive line and quarterback play, injuries and a defense that fell well short of lofty expectations entering the season.

On New Year’s Day, the Eagles announced Reid’s dismissal, and rumors about Reid’s potential landing spots began to swirl. Early reports suggested the Arizona Cardinals were pushing for an interview with
Reid, while the Kansas City Chiefs later joined the discussion as a possible suitor.

Reid will have an opportunity to coach next year, but what will likely appeal to Reid is the possibility of retaining a role in football operations in conjunction with a head coaching position. He was Philadelphia’s executive vice president of football operations—a role that afforded Reid say in personnel decisions for his team.

Both Arizona and Kansas City have made front-office moves since firing Ken Whisenhunt and Romeo Crennel. The Cardinals fired general manager Rod Graves, while Chiefs owner Clark Hunt took control of the coaching search in Kansas City, and will decide general manager Scott Pioli’s fate with the team upon completion of the coaching search.

While it’s possible that Reid will have some say in personnel decisions with either team, how much control he receives could be the linchpin for his decision. Reid has been linked to former cohort Tom Heckert, who was relieved of his duties in Cleveland after the Browns’ loss to Pittsburgh in Week 17, but nothing substantial has been determined as to the validity of the rumors.

More likely, Reid will elect to reunite with Kevin Kolb in Arizona, and take control of a team with a lot of talent on the defensive side of the football. With no general manager in place, Reid could request control of personnel decisions and have a hand in the rebuilding of Arizona’s offense.

If Reid were to choose to coach the Chiefs, he may be subjected to a control struggle with Pioli, were Pioli to retain his position. Pioli has been known to dominate front-office decision making, and may create a point of friction between Pioli and the Chiefs’ future coach. There is too much potential volatility in Kansas City—something Reid will look to avoid after a tumultuous finish in Philadelphia.

Reid is one of the better offensive coaches in the NFL, despite his former team’s poor showing in 2012. Given a fresh situation with the Cardinals—including the No. 7 overall pick in the 2013 draft—Reid would
be in a position to rebuild Arizona’s offense from the ground up.

Reid is in position of leverage with Arizona. The Cardinals are without a general manager, a head coach and nearly everyone from their 2012 offensive staff. Reid could have a clean slate and a fresh start in Arizona, which is exactly what he needs to re-energize his coaching career.