Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has come to the defense of Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid following calls for his dismissal after a devastating 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.

Speaking on The Steam Room with Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley, Kelce offered a technical breakdown of why criticism directed at Reid may be misplaced, pointing instead to the Eagles’ dominant defensive front as the decisive factor.

“If they’re getting home with four, it’s going to be hard,” Kelce explained, highlighting the Eagles’ ability to generate pressure without blitzing. “They were so dominant up front-Philadelphia in that game. You can go to boots and play action to try and throw them off their pass rush, but when you’re not successful on first or second down and getting into conducive situations on third down, it will be really hard.”

The Eagles’ defensive dominance was evident in the statistics, as Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times despite Philadelphia never sending an extra rusher. The Chiefs’ offense struggled throughout, managing just 275 total yards and converting only 3 of 12 third-down attempts.

Kelce, who played under Reid during the coach’s tenure in Philadelphia, strongly defended his former mentor’s game planning. “I think there are always things you look back on that could have been done better,” Kelce acknowledged. “I don’t know if Andy could have done much, to be honest with you. I think that was a team that very evidently needs to improve that position this offseason.”

The loss marked a bitter end to what had been another impressive season for Kansas City, who entered the Super Bowl with a 17-3 record and hopes of securing their third consecutive championship. While some critics, including FOX Sports radio host Rob Parker, have called for Reid’s removal, Kelce’s analysis suggests the issues may lie more with personnel than coaching.

As the Chiefs head into the offseason, Kelce’s comments highlight what may be their primary focus: strengthening their offensive line to better protect their franchise quarterback against elite defensive fronts like the one they encountered in New Orleans.

For Eagles fans, the victory marked a sweet reversal from their previous Super Bowl matchup against the Chiefs, while for Kansas City, it represents a clear challenge to address as they look toward the 2025 season.