Andy Reid is living proof that nice guys can finish first — and do it over and over again. 

We often hear about “genius coaches” or folks who can’t seem to maintain success year after year because the league “figures them out,” but Andy Reid breaks that mold. He’s spent decades on NFL sidelines, consistently bringing a blend of innovation, leadership, and genuine compassion for his players.

If you’ve been following football, you’ve probably heard plenty about Reid’s ability to mold quarterbacks — from Donovan McNabb back in the day to Patrick Mahomes right now. But if you’re new to this conversation, here’s the key context: there’s a debate brewing over whether Andy Reid might one day be recognized as the greatest head coach of all time. 

Yes, Bill Belichick has long held that title in the eyes of many, and for good reason, given his six Super Bowl rings. But Reid, with his current trajectory, is inching closer in several categories.

For some, including myself, Belichick is still the standard-bearer. But how long will that remain the case? Some fans say if Reid and the Chiefs pull off a historical three-peat, he might leapfrog Belichick in the all-time conversation, or at least stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him. If he adds yet another Lombardi Trophy to his growing collection, the debates will get a whole lot louder.

Chasing History: Where Reid Stands Right Now

Every NFL coach’s legacy is, to some extent, numbers-based. Football is a team sport, sure, but there’s no denying we look at stats, wins, playoff appearances, and rings when deciding who belongs in the conversation for “best ever.” So let’s break it down.

Statistical Achievements

• Wins: Andy Reid is currently fourth in all-time wins with 301 total (regular + postseason). That puts him behind George Halas (324), Bill Belichick (333), and Don Shula (347).

• Playoff Victories: Reid’s no slouch in the win-or-go-home environment either. He stands at 28 playoff victories — second only to Belichick’s 31. 

• Super Bowl Appearances: Reid has taken teams to six Super Bowls, tying him with Don Shula for the second-most in NFL history. 

• Super Bowl Wins: Reid currently has three Lombardi Trophies, with a chance at a fourth. If he’s able to get a win on Sunday, he’ll be tied for the second most all-time and become just the third coach to win four Lombadi’s.

Those stats alone hint at an all-time great. But there are unique accomplishments here, too. Reid is the only coach in NFL history to notch 100 wins with two different teams, the Eagles and the Chiefs. Having a three-peat under his belt would be another incredible leg-up that none of his competitors have. 

The Path to the GOAT Title: What’s Left for Reid?

The stakes have almost never been higher for Andy Reid than they are going into Super Bowl LIX. The Chiefs have a chance to carve out another big piece of NFL history, and Reid could pad his already robust legacy. A three-peat, if the Chiefs can pull it off, would instantly rewrite a ton of history books since we haven’t seen a team three-peat in the Super Bowl era.

1. Playoff Wins Record All But Locked Up

Although Belichick still leads in playoff wins, Reid’s within striking distance — and with Mahomes as his quarterback for the foreseeable future, getting three more wins seems like a given. Surpassing Belichick in that category would be a massive selling point for Reid. Coaches get paid to win important games, and the more you can ring up in January (and early February), the stronger your case for the Hall of Fame — and for GOAT status.

2. The All-Time Wins Record

It’s often overshadowed by the glitz and glam of the Super Bowl, but the all-time wins record (regular season plus playoffs) is quite possibly the best barometer for long-term greatness. At 46 wins away, he could realistically get that in just three years with how dominant the Chiefs have been.

3. The Fifth Super Bowl – The Ultimate Equalizer

Let’s say Reid isn’t able to catch Shula but comes away with a fifth Lombardi Trophy by the time he calls it a career. Five titles plus the league’s only three-peat (if they’re able to pull it off) would be enough for many fans to put him ahead of Belichick. While the all-time wins record is about longevity and consistency, Super Bowl rings are about reaching the mountaintop, repeatedly. 

Why Andy Reid Has Already Passed Every Coach Not Named Belichick

One of Reid’s defining features is his adaptability. While Belichick had a historically successful run with Tom Brady, Reid has juggled quite a few quarterbacks over the years. Sure, Patrick Mahomes is a next-level talent, but Reid also got plenty out of Donovan McNabb, Alex Smith, and Michael Vick. He’s known for resurrecting careers — Jeff Garcia came in and excelled when folks thought he might be washed up, and Michael Vick had a career renaissance under Reid’s tutelage in Philly.

His influence even extends to quarterback rooms you wouldn’t necessarily peg him for at first glance. He spent time as an assistant in Green Bay when Brett Favre was there, and though he’s not the singular reason these players became great, the people around the league credit him with the kind of teaching approach that just clicks. A willingness to shape schemes around the strengths of his quarterbacks has become a hallmark of Reid’s coaching style.

Sustained Success and Consistency

Talk to any NFL fan, and you’ll hear them say consistency is what separates the good from the truly great. In Andy Reid’s case, we’re talking about someone whose teams have had losing records in only 11% of his seasons. By contrast, Bill Belichick has had losing records in roughly 27% of his seasons, including his time with the Cleveland Browns and, more recently, post-Tom Brady. Reid guided his team to the playoffs in 77% of his seasons, versus Belichick’s 65%.

That difference might surprise people who think of Belichick’s time in New England as unstoppable for two decades. But with the Eagles, Reid was nearly always in the mix, making 19 playoff appearances, including a trip to the Super Bowl (which they lost to the Patriots, ironically). Then, after a tough ending in Philly, Reid headed to Kansas City and turned around a 2–14 team almost instantly. For the last decade or so, the Chiefs have rattled off winning season after winning season — 12 in a row, in fact. Most coaches get stale after a while or just can’t keep up with the demands of a changing NFL. Reid seems to embrace change, and the results speak for themselves.

Adaptability and Innovation

Reid doesn’t just rely on old-school fundamentals or a single, unchanging playbook. He’s famous for dipping into college concepts, resurrecting forgotten strategies from decades ago, and always having a deep bag of trick plays that can catch any defense off guard. He’s also that rare coach who can credibly say he’s stayed on the cutting edge of offensive football for over twenty years.

Coaching Tree

Taking a look at Reid’s coaching tree, you could argue it’s among the most impressive in recent history. John Harbaugh won a Super Bowl in Baltimore; Doug Pederson did the same in Philly. Todd Bowles is well-respected as a defensive mind, having his second crack at a head coaching gig in Tampa Bay. 

The Only Coach Who Can Dethrone Belichick

So, where does this leave us? Are we really on the brink of crowning Andy Reid the greatest NFL coach of all time? We might be, and it’s not as far-fetched as it would have sounded a few years ago.

You can keep citing Belichick’s six rings — fair play — but at some point, Reid's place in NFL history will be impossible to ignore: potentially leading the league’s first-ever three-peat, becoming the winningest postseason coach of all time, and maybe even topping the all-time wins list—all while maintaining a level of consistency and innovation that few, if any, coaches have ever matched.

Now, as he stands on the cusp of yet another championship appearance, the future is wide open. If Reid can keep piling up victories and possibly snag that elusive fifth ring, the debate might tilt in his favor. While the conversation about who’s truly the “Greatest of All Time” among NFL head coaches is bound to continue, it’s clear that Andy Reid is on a collision course with Belichick’s legacy. 

He’s the only active coach who has a legitimate shot at catching Belichick in some of the biggest benchmark categories. Each new season and playoff run adds another layer to Reid’s already stellar resume, and it’s worth watching every step of the way. Because when all is said and done, and Reid hangs up the headset, we might just be calling him the GOAT — no disrespect to Bill Belichick, of course.