Why Chiefs Are Keeping Offense on Field More Than Ever

The Kansas City Chiefs are among league-leaders in this category.

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) speaks with Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Eat your heart out, Dan Campbell. So far this season, the league’s most aggressive head coach resides in Kansas City.

It’s 67-year-old Andy Reid, who’s kept Patrick Mahomes on the field on fourth down 10 times this season. Kansas City has converted 90 percent of them, going 9 of 10. Only the 1-3 Carolina Panthers (6 of 11) have attempted more fourth-down conversions.

Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

“We try to stay aggressive in that area,” Reid said Monday afternoon. “And we try to be relatively smart with this, the best we can. Judgment, obviously, is a part of that.”

Important weekly meetings

Reid said offensive coordinator Matt Nagy leads weekly gameplan meetings with offensive line coach Andy Heck, tight ends coach Tom Melvin and assistant offensive line coach Corey Matthaei. Those meetings have become significant in keeping the offense moving.

Nov 12, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; General view of a third down sideline marker in the second quarter of the game between the New England Patriots against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

And keeping the offense moving on fourth down is important because the Chiefs’ offense has been a been a bit bipolar when the down-marker shifts to 3. Kansas City has converted only 39.3 percent of its third downs, including one of the few blemishes on Sunday’s win: A 5-for-15 third-down performance.

Magic from Kareem

But enter Kareem Hunt, one of the league’s best short-yardage backs since Reid pulled him off the couch in September last season.

Sep 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) celebrates with tight end Travis Kelce (87) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants in the fourth quarte at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Last season, Hunt converted 15 of 18 short-yardage opportunities (83.3 percent). The year before, he was 15 of 20 (75 percent) in Cleveland.

Against the Ravens, Hunt converted all four of his short-yardage carries on third or fourth down. But he’s not the only one aligned with Reid’s aggressive fourth-down mindset.

“Pat’s got a good feel on that, too, when he’s out there,” Reid said. “We’ve got a lot of trust in him. Some of these things that we’re doing, he’s got options on, and he’s got to be spot on when we’re doing them.”

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown (5) scores a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (3) defends during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Chiefs on Sunday finished 4-for-4 on fourth down, including Mahomes’ 15-yard touchdown pass to Hollywood Brown. The genesis of that success comes from those meetings during the week.

“So, they get in there and grind on what they see there,” Reid explained, “and then the pass game and the run game. We’ve been able to do both and be successful on both, which has helped.

“And it’s just a matter of where we’re at, the situation of the game. You’ve got to take that into consideration when you’re doing it. We’ve tried to stay aggressive.”

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