Safety Justin Reid bulked up for ’23 season as Chiefs work ‘to continue this dynasty’
Chiefs safety Justin Reid is expecting bigger and better things for the 2023 season.
Let’s begin with the bigger.
Reid, who is listed at 6 foot 1 and 207 pounds, told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports that he’s bulked up a bit.
“The offseason is going good,” Reid told Wilson at a charity dodgeball game last month in Houston. “I put on a couple of pounds. I’m about 215. I feel really good (about) it.”
Chiefs training camp opens at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph on July 18 when rookies report.
Reid doesn’t expect a Super Bowl hangover for the Chiefs.
“Honestly, the page is already turned,” Reid told KPRC. “We’re out there working, chasing another championship. Every year is different. We’ve got an even bigger target on our back than last year. We get to enjoy that moment.
“As far as the mentality in the room, we’re working to continue this dynasty and what we did last year and not just rest on our laurels. Where we are right now is light years ahead of where we were last year at this time. It’s really exciting.”
Last summer, the Chiefs had a large rookie class trying to get acquainted with life in the NFL. Three of those defensive rookies ended up starting in the AFC Championship Game: defensive end George Karlaftis and cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Three more — defensive backs Bryan Cook, Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson — also played in the 23-20 win over the Bengals.
Reid said Cook will be taking safety Juan Thornhill’s spot in the Chiefs’ defense. Thornhill signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns.
As he enters his sixth NFL season, Reid is eager to impart his knowledge on the younger teammates.
“I think that’s the reason they brought me there is to command the back end,” Reid said in the KPRC story. “Not just be a leader by speaking, but to be a leader by example and to help those young guys on the roster develop into the players they’re capable of being.”
This story was originally published July 7, 2023 at 8:46 AM.
