Andy Reid Calls Chiefs Cutting Jeremy Maclin 'Worst Part of the Job'

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid bemoaned having to cut wide receiver Jeremy Maclin as "the worst part of the job" when speaking to reporters Tuesday.

The Chiefs released Maclin last week after two seasons. Maclin, 29, previously played for Reid when he was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. The head coach attended Maclin's wedding in May.

After setting a career high in receptions during his first season in Kansas City, Maclin struggled to replicate his previous production. He played in just 12 games due to injury and finished with 44 receptions for 536 yards, roughly half of the numbers he put up in 2015 and both career lows.

The Chiefs saved $10 million in cap space by designating Maclin a post-June 1 cut. Reid acknowledged the Chiefs will miss Maclin's veteran presence in the locker room.

"I don't think you replace him—that's not what you do," Reid said, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.

"But we've got other guys in there that are great leaders, and so they understand the game. We've got guys that have been around here for a little while and been in the league for a while. But I'm not taking anything away from him as a person, man. He's a phenomenal person, he is great in the locker room, and we have some other guys that are great in there too. So they'll pick up any slack too."

2016 breakout star Tyreke Hill will likely become the Chiefs' go-to receiver behind tight end Travis Kelce. Hill was used mostly on screens designed to get him in the open field last season. His improvement as a downfield route runner will be paramount to the team's ability to successfully replace Maclin.

"He works hard and he's skilled," Reid said of Hill. "Is he still learning? Yeah, he is still learning. I'll tell you that with the receivers because that's what they do until they get defenses down. But he will give you good production at that [Z] position."

Young wideouts Chris Conley, Albert Wilson and De'Anthony Thomas will also be tasked with filling the void. Conley, heading into his third season, is a natural pick as a potential breakout guy. He finished third among remaining players in targets in 2016 and has the size and skill set of a solid outside receiver.