Doubtful Chiefs’ Reid Would’ve Committed These Crucial Championship Management Errors

Even Andy Reid's newfound gambling nature wouldn't have done what Sean Payton, Sean McVay did Sunday.

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Andy Reid might’ve been hanging with his grandkids on Sunday, with Jim Nantz’s voice breaking the ambience in the background.

But at a critical moment in Sunday’s AFC championship game – the first in eight years Reid hasn’t coached – Sean Payton’s mind inevitably entertained thoughts of what Reid would do.

Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid arrives prior to the game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images | Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

Regarding “Sean Payton has always been aggressive in these situations”: pic.twitter.com/gWmGNfYrFv

— Lindsay Rhodes (@lindsay_rhodes) January 25, 2026

Check the weather

The league’s oldest head coach, Reid was far from its most conservative in 2025 and wasn’t always correct. And while his aggressive fourth-down philosophies impacted coaching decisions, one thing Payton apparently forgot to do was check the second-half forecast.

Flurries started at halftime and evolved into a thick, white blanket that clearly affected footing and kicking. Kenny Rogers would’ve been proud of a gamble-happy Reid in that moment, because the Chiefs’ coach would’ve known when to hold ‘em. And like most everyone else, the old singer would’ve been thoroughly disappointed in Payton’s game-altering decision.

Jan 25, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots during the first half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Up 7-0 with nine-and-half minutes in the second quarter, Payton kept his offense on the field at the Patriots’ 14-yard line. Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, making his first start in two years, misfired in the flat. New England had everything covered.

And when snow covered the field an hour later, the Patriots leaned on their defense to smother Denver in a 10-7 win. As a result, either the Patriots or Chiefs will have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl nine times over a 10-year stretch.

Jan 25, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to the media after defeating the Denver Broncos in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Another lesson from Sunday

Sean McVay was 12 years old when the Eagles hired Reid as head coach on Jan. 11, 1999. Rogers released his 1978 single The Gambler six years before McVay’s birth. And odds are good that Reid’s experience advantage would’ve prevented him from making the same devastating errors McVay committed Sunday.

Like Payton, McVay also attempted a failed on a humongous fourth down, this one with five minutes left in the NFC championship game at Seattle. After a 14-play, 84-yard drive, facing fourth-and-4 from the Seahawks’ 6-yard line, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua were covered. Matthew Stafford threw incomplete in the back of the end zone, looking for rookie Terrance Ferguson.

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against Seattle Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) during the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

A chip-shot field goal at that point would’ve pulled the Rams to within one at 31-30, and placed the pressure squarely on the Seahawks with plenty of time remaining.

Reid would’ve taken the points.

And the Chiefs’ venerable coach almost assuredly wouldn’t have made McVay’s other fourth-quarter decision: Calling timeout prematurely and hand-cuffing his ability to challenge a crucial spot. However, whether the NFL should’ve stepped in is under debate.

This isnt on McVay, its on New York.

Coaches are advised not to use a challenge until 20 seconds left on the play clock of the next play. Even if he throws the flag, some more time is going to run off the clock.

Replay assist covers spot of the ball calls. By calling a… https://t.co/bPI9ymAFoC pic.twitter.com/Yt0s0o1poM

— Anthony Amico (@amicsta) January 26, 2026

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