Andy Reid makes major admission after locking in key Chiefs player

Getting back on the field as soon as possible is crucial for a Kansas City Chiefs team still haunted by their tough loss to the Eagles in the last Super Bowl. The good news for Andy Reid and company is that a key player has agreed to stay—prompting an immediate reaction from the head coach.

For the next four years, the Chiefs will continue to benefit from the on-field talent of George Karlaftis. For Reid, it’s a major relief to have one of the league’s top defensive ends locked in for the long haul.

In a recent media session, the multiple-time Super Bowl-winning head coach opened up about what it means to have the pass rusher remain with the team—and how much his presence will help elevate a defense that needs to continue performing at the highest level.

“That’s a great thing,” HC Andy Reid said in his Sunday press conference. “And he’s a heck of a player, and he’s done a great job here, and he’s profited from that. Our team also profits from him being around, so it’s a win-win there.

Defensive end George Karlaftis #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the press conference interviews after the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex on May 29, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

“He is a relentless player, I mean that’s what you get with George,” he also added. “He’s smart; relentless. You can trust and know that he is reliable, so you can trust that he is going to be there and do the right things and go 100 miles an hour doing them. Very well respected that way.”

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The importance of George Karlaftis to the Chiefs

While it’s well known that the Chiefs boast superstar talent like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, it’s also clear that a large number of players contribute in their own way—each adding their piece to make Kansas City an extremely competitive team.

George Karlaftis is one of those names. In the NFL season that ended at the Caesars Superdome against the Eagles, he proved to be a key piece in Reid’s defensive unit.

In 16 games last season, the defensive end recorded a total of 8.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and a career-high 28 quarterback hits. He also followed that up with an even more impressive postseason run, posting 4.0 sacks, four tackles for loss, and eight QB hits over just three playoff games.