The Kansas City Chiefs enter a critical offseason after their first losing season in more than a decade. The franchise that reigned over the AFC for years capped 2025 with a 6–11 finish and no postseason run. It’s territory Kansas City isn’t used to. The transition from perennial contender to the rebuilding phase hits hardest in the lead-up to the NFL Draft.
Now that rebuild has a physical twist. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently underwent a knee procedure and will miss a key part of the pre-draft grind. Kansas City’s pivot from perennial powerhouse is real. Its leader’s health update feeds straight into that narrative.
Andy Reid’s Knee Procedure & Combine Absence
Andy Reid
Feb. 12, 2023: Andy Reid and Travis Kelce celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Multiple outlets confirmed that Andy Reid will not attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next week after undergoing a medical procedure on his knee. Reid jokingly framed his absence in football terms and emphasized the short-term nature of his recovery. As the head coach who has defined this franchise for nearly two decades. His absence quickly became the subject of chatter across NFL circles.
Before addressing the media, Reid dropped a line that instantly became a meme among Chiefs fans and critics alike. In his own words:
“I’m on IR for about a second here, [but] not long, Herbie.”
Andy Reid did share that he recently had a procedure on his knee & is recovering. Reid is not planning on attending the combine in Indy next week.
He just told Herbie Teope: "I'm on IR for about a second here, [but] not long, Herbie."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) February 20, 2026
Reid’s quip references “IR,” or injured reserve, a cheeky way to acknowledge the procedure without sounding alarm bells. His absence is newsworthy. The combine is where coaches, GMs, and scouts connect with prospects. Reid skipping it puts added spotlight on General Manager Brett Veach to handle much of the in-person evaluation. It also fuels questions about how involved the 67-year-old will be on draft night.
Fan reaction has been mixed but loud. Chiefs Kingdom, known for its loyalty, flooded social media with posts teasing Reid’s “on IR” line. Many expressed support. While others seized on it as symbolic of the team’s downturn. Missing the combine isn’t catastrophic, but it’s a departure from the norm for a coach who rarely misses a beat.
For Kansas City, this offseason matters. After years of Super Bowl contention and two titles, the shift to No. 9 overall in the draft is stark. Reid acknowledged that reality during the same media session. Noting the unusual length of this offseason and the tasks ahead.
Everyone’s attention will be on how the Chiefs and Andy Reid handle this transition phase. There will be updates on his progress and how his no-show at the combine relates to the overall roster transformation as they attempt to get back among the contenders.