Chiefs’ Justin Reid has a special relationship with famed ‘22 draft

When the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX on Sunday, eight members of their acclaimed 2022 draft class are anticipated to be lively. After their first two seasons, the group has by no means identified a playoff defeat, every ending with Kansas Metropolis hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

5 of these gamers belong to the defensive backs room: cornerbacks Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, and Nazeeh Johnson, plus security Bryan Cook dinner. On Thursday, veteran security Justin Reid contemplated if his youthful teammates within the secondary recognize what they’ve already achieved — or the tradition they’ve helped create for the younger expertise they’ll welcome to Kansas Metropolis over their careers.

“I don’t suppose that they know what they’ve completed all the best way,” Reid remarked. “I feel that they know they’re a part of one thing particular, but it surely’s actually a narrative. We known as them — not less than the DB group — ‘the Fab 5’ coming in. They’ve by no means identified a loss within the playoffs. All they’ve identified is excellence, however I feel that the muse that was set for them they’ve not solely absorbed, but in addition now being of their third yr, [they] proceed to set the precedent for the brand new guys coming behind them.

“It’s simply been great for the group to only proceed to be constructing and achieve success. It’s so unimaginable what these guys do, and hopefully, they give the impression of being again on this and actually perceive the depth of how cool the issues they’re doing.”

Watson additionally spoke on Thursday, making clear that he understands {that a} yearly Tremendous Bowl look is hardly assured.

“It doesn’t really feel regular,” mentioned the third-year professional. “Annually, you’ve gotten a distinct group, so it has a distinct stage of significance, and it’s a particular second. You by no means know whenever you’re not going to make it, so we labored so arduous, and we simply recognize the occasions these weeks. That is what we at all times dreamed of, so we don’t take it as a right.”

Reid signed with the Chiefs as a free agent early within the 2022 offseason, which means he additionally has by no means identified a playoff loss as a Chief. Watson described how he and his fellow rookies had been studying defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s playbook alongside the veteran.

“I feel Justin Reed is 27,” mentioned Watson, “however he’s received the center and soul of a 35-year-old. He’s at all times received nice phrases. He’s such a sensible dude, so he is aware of what to say and when to say it. He leads the group. He’s been within the league so long as everybody. All of us got here in on the identical time, so we had been studying the playbook on the identical time. He was serving to us with that — and selecting it up just a little quicker than we had been — however he’s been very instrumental for the group.”

Reid believes that skilled gamers have a accountability to assist develop younger expertise. In his remarks Thursday, he described his philosophy.

“I really feel like as you grow to be a veteran within the league,” he defined, “it’s not nearly what you do on the sector. That’s the very first thing you care for: your tasks, you attempt to be a bodily pressure on the sector, and also you, you lead guys along with your play first. Additionally, it’s about mentoring the following guys as a result of we’re going to want all people. One factor I’ve realized — particularly being right here with accidents — is you’re going to want the following man to step up and be prepared when one thing occurs, as a result of it’s not an if, it’s a when.

“So, I spent loads of time with guys. I take pleasure in being in that massive brother function — taking guys underneath my wing, working method with them after observe, watching movie, breaking down movie examine, attempting to place issues in bins the place it’s simpler to grasp. Like, ‘Hey, this name is much like this name; you do the identical factor.’ These are the whys. I’m not simply going to inform you what to just do to do it. I’m going to inform you why, so if you already know the why, you’ll keep in mind if one thing a barely completely different occurs.

“You can also make your individual resolution with it. So, I feel a key function for my management has additionally been the event of these round me, and I try to set the tone early with the bodily play, let guys know that we’re hitting as we speak, after which I try to convey some calmness with letting them know if a play is coming or not in order that approach they will simply exit and play quick.”

The subsequent man up was wanted for Watson after a fractured ankle in Week 7 sidelined him many of the season. Watson returned for the Chiefs’ Divisional Spherical victory over the Houston Texans. The staff’s first-round playoff bye proved useful.

“I used to be at all times taking pictures for the Divisional recreation,” acknowledged Watson, “so, I used to be simply actually rooting for a first-round bye. Hoping we will get a first-round bye so the divisional recreation wouldn’t be a hard-fought recreation. That was my first recreation again, and we didn’t know the way it was going to go. Recreation velocity is a lot completely different from all the pieces else, however that’s the enterprise. We received the first-round bye, and it gave me further time to get my ankle assist.”

With one yr remaining on their rookie contracts, Watson and his younger teammates will presumably be on the 2025 Chiefs. Nevertheless, Reid is about for unrestricted free company after the season, and Watson realizes Sunday might mark their ultimate recreation collectively.

“We recognize him and all the pieces he’s completed,” Watson reiterated. “We don’t know what’s going to occur subsequent yr, so we’re all attempting to do it for him and exit on prime, simply in case.”