Andy Reid deserves trust amid Kingsley Suamataia controversy

Andy Reid deserves the benefit of the doubt in the Kingsley Suamataia drama.

The Kansas City Chiefs have lost two games in a row.

Fans are frustrated.

The Chiefs were dominated by the Seattle Seahawks two weeks ago.

Last weekend they choked away a chance to all but lock up the division only seven games into the season.

The Chiefs have roster issues.

They have consistency issues.

Their coaching staff has made some very questionable decisions.

Fans have every right to question things, including the job of head coach Andy Reid.

But when it comes to managing players, Reid deserves some benefit of the doubt.

Let's start by establishing a few things that all Chiefs fans can agree on.

Andy Reid is a first-ballot Hall of Fame coach.

His leadership brought the Chiefs their most successful era in team history.

Despite being one of the best head coaches in NFL history, Reid has some frustrating tendencies.

Those include time management, play-calling, and being too set in his ways at times.

All Chiefs fans appreciate what Reid has done and accomplished.

All Chiefs fans have wanted to pull their hair out at some point over some of Reid's decisions.

This isn't about shaming Chiefs fans for not appreciating Reid or turning a blind eye to his weaknesses.

This is about looking at his track record of how he handles players.

This is about applying some logic to the Kingsley Suamataia situation.

Reid is pretty much universally known as a player's coach.

Talk to his current and former players.

They all say the same thing.

He never throws players under the bus.

Never.

Countless players say that he lets players be themselves.

He has an incredibly long track record of giving players second chances.

He gives second chances even when other teams, the media, and fans don't think the player deserves it.

You can make a strong argument that he's the most successful player's coach in NFL history.

So when Reid benched Kingsley Suamataia for the second time last Sunday, it seems shortsighted for Chiefs fans to act like Reid has lost his mind.

It has gotten to the point that if Reid were to bench Suamataia again for this weekend's game against the New York Jets, some fans would be calling for his head.

Let's look at this situation through the lens of Reid's track record over his 28 years as an NFL head coach.

Fans are livid that Reid won't tell us why he has benched Suamataia twice in recent weeks.

Reid spoke to reporters on Wednesday.

He discussed the Chiefs' trade deadline plans, Kingsley Suamataia, Harrison Butker, quarterback sneaks, and preparations for the New York Jets.

He gave updates on Suamataia and Butker.

He addressed Justin Fields and the Chiefs' quarterback sneak options.

He responded to questions about Patrick Mahomes' frustration.

He discussed Kenneth Walker III and Emmett Johnson's roles.

He explained how the Chiefs managed Rashee Rice's return against Denver.

He addressed penalties costing the Chiefs in the Denver loss.

But he did not give a detailed explanation for Suamataia's benching.

That silence has fueled speculation.

Fans want to know what Suamataia did.

Reid's refusal to disclose the reason has made some fans angrier.

But consider what Reid's history tells us.

A coach who never throws players under the bus is not going to start now.

Reid is protecting Suamataia.

He is keeping the issue inside the building.

That is what player's coaches do.

They handle discipline privately.

They do not air grievances in press conferences.

They do not let the media dictate how they manage their roster.

Reid has been doing this for 28 years.

He has earned the right to handle his locker room his way.

The Suamataia situation is not the only controversy surrounding Reid right now.

Reid has also faced criticism for backing kicker Harrison Butker.

Butker has been a reliable kicker for the Chiefs.

He has made big kicks in big moments.

Reid's support of Butker has sparked outrage in some circles.

But Reid has never been one to abandon his players based on public opinion.

He sticks with his guys.

That consistency is part of what makes him successful.

Ex-Chiefs quarterbacks have also come to Reid's defense.

They have spoken out against criticisms of the head coach.

They know what it is like to play for Reid.

They know that he earns loyalty by giving it.

Another controversy involves Reid's decision to sign Justin Tucker.

Tucker is a kicker with a legendary career.

But he has faced his own off-field issues.

One former NFL coach defended Reid's decision.

He said, "This is America, we forgive."

Reid's approach to player management has been consistent throughout his career.

He gives players chances to redeem themselves.

He believes in second chances.

He believes in redemption.

That philosophy has worked.

It has produced three Super Bowl wins in Kansas City.

It has produced a dynasty.

So when Reid benches a rookie offensive tackle twice in three weeks, there is a reason.

Reid is not acting out of malice.

He is not losing his touch.

He is managing a player.

He is teaching a lesson.

He is setting a standard.

The standard in Kansas City is high.

The Chiefs are trying to win another Super Bowl.

They cannot afford to have a weak link on the offensive line.

Suamataia is a rookie.

He is learning.

He is being held accountable.

That is what good coaches do.