They might be foes on the field, but Chiefs coach Andy Reid had a hand in putting together the Eagles' Super Bowl 57 roster.
Some key pillars remain from Reid's time in Philadelphia — Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jason Kelce. Another one was erected years after Reid left the City of Brotherly Love, with assistance from Reid.
MORE: Watch Super Bowl 57 live with fuboTV (free trial)
Jalen Hurts, who was a surprise selection of the Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft, had a breakout year in 2022, leaving little doubt that he will be a franchise quarterback for years to come in Philadelphia. While the team felt strongly enough to draft him, a vote of confidence from Reid may have played into the decision.
According to ESPN, the Eagles gave Reid a call prior to the 2020 draft to get his evaluation of Hurts and to discuss how to navigate adding a young quarterback to a room that had a veteran.
MORE: Why did Andy Reid leave the Eagles? Revisiting 'Big Red's' lengthy stay in Philadelphia
Reid has faced that situation several times in his career. While with Philly, he drafted Kevin Kolb and signed Michael Vick to sit behind Donovan McNabb. In Kansas City, Reid drafted a guy named Patrick Mahomes to sit behind Alex Smith. Each situation worked itself out.
ESPN added that "the Eagles have long valued Reid's opinion and sought it out before making what proved to be a franchise-impacting decision."
MORE: Watch Super Bowl 57 live with fuboTV (free trial)
The Eagles drafted Hurts, and then they sat him behind incumbent Carson Wentz. Wentz would falter and Hurts would fly in the coming years, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance.
Hurts isn't the only line you can draw back to Reid. Consider the roundabout way Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and Reid connect:
- Doug Pederson is hired after Chip Kelly is fired in Philadelphia. Pederson is a former QBs coach in Philadelphia and offensive coordinator under Reid in KC, and very briefly played for Reid in Philly.
- Frank Reich, Pederson's OC in Philly, lands a job as Colts head coach. He brings aboard an assistant named . . .
- Nick Sirianni, who is Reich's OC between from 2018-20. Sirianni would be hired as the Eagles' 24th head coach in 2021.
Sirianni and Reid crossed paths very briefly in 2013, when Reid landed the job in Kansas City — and then handed Sirianni a pink slip.
So, once Super Bowl Sunday hits, Eagles fans will still have to thank "Big Red" for being a big help — in more ways than one.
