For years, the question has lingered quietly around Kansas City.
When will Andy Reid step away?
Three Super Bowls. Thirteen seasons with the Chiefs. Nearing 70 years old. For many coaches, that résumé would feel complete.
But according to those closest to him, Reid doesn’t see it that way.
There’s still unfinished business.
And it has a number attached to it.
Three hundred twenty-eight.
That’s the all-time regular-season wins record held by Don Shula. Andy Reid currently sits at 279 — just 49 victories behind.
“He wants that record,” one former staffer told SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora. “He knows exactly how close it is.”
That detail matters.
Because it reframes the retirement conversation entirely.
This isn’t about whether Reid still has the energy. Those around him insist he feels “as energized as ever.” It’s not about family hesitation either — sources suggest his family is fully supportive of the chase.
It’s about legacy.
Reid has averaged just under 11.5 regular-season wins per year since taking over the Chiefs in 2013. Maintain that pace, and he would surpass Shula’s mark in early 2030 — at roughly 72 years old.
Seventy-two.
For some, that sounds improbable. For Reid, it may sound like timing.
The NFL’s expansion to a 17-game schedule in 2021 quietly accelerated the math. More games. More opportunities. An 18-game schedule, if ever approved, would only tilt the equation further in his favor.
Add postseason success into the picture, and the numbers tighten.
Reid owns 307 total wins when combining regular season and playoffs. Shula’s combined mark sits at 347 — a 40-win gap. With Kansas City’s consistent postseason presence, Reid averages nearly 13 total wins per season.
At that pace, he would be just one victory shy of Shula’s combined record when his current contract expires after the 2028 season.
That’s not coincidence.
It’s trajectory.
But numbers alone don’t explain the persistence.
Those who know Reid point to something deeper — resilience forged through personal hardship, professional setbacks, and the weight of leadership over decades. The grind never seemed to dull him. If anything, it sharpened focus.
“Think about what he’s been through,” one confidant reportedly said. “He’s going to pass Shula. Take that to the bank.”
Strong words.
Because chasing history at this stage isn’t about proving competence. Reid’s place among the game’s greats is secure. Three Lombardi Trophies cemented that.
This is about something rarer.
Finality.
Records endure long after confetti fades. Surpassing Don Shula would place Reid alone atop one of the NFL’s most sacred milestones — a benchmark many assumed would never be threatened in the modern era of coaching turnover.
Yet Kansas City remains stable. Patrick Mahomes remains elite. The Chiefs remain contenders.
The pieces align.
Of course, football rarely follows projection charts. Injuries happen. Seasons derail. Windows close.
But for now, the math is tangible. The motivation is confirmed. The door to retirement appears closed — at least until the mountain is climbed.
So when speculation surfaces about Reid slowing down, stepping aside, or planning a farewell tour, it may be missing the point.
He’s not counting down seasons.
He’s counting wins.
And until the number beside his name reads 328 — or perhaps 347 combined — walking away might feel incomplete.
The only question left is whether time cooperates.
Because if it does, Andy Reid won’t just leave the NFL as a champion.
He’ll leave it as the winningest coach the league has ever seen.
And that’s a finish line he doesn’t appear ready to ignore.
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