Andy Reid cleverly sidestepped the question about the Chiefs’ grueling schedule over the festive period. The team attempting a three-peat will play their third game in 11 days- similar to three other AFC playoff contenders when they face the Steelers on Wednesday. This hasn’t gone down well with Chiefs players with Patrick Mahomes and DeAndre Hopkins calling out the scheduling and now the Chiefs announcer Mitch Holthus has doubled down on the criticism.

The Chiefs began this run of games with a win over the Cleveland Browns and followed it up with a hard-fought victory against the Texans on Saturday. With a testing visit to Pittsburg pending, the Chiefs would hope to emerge from the game unscathed as they are already dealing with an ankle injury to Patrick Mahomes. Holthus pointed out how the less rest time between games is “maniacal.”

Holthus minced no words speaking on The Drive with Carrington Harrison. He highlighted the 92-hour turnaround between the Texans and Steelers games, emphasizing how it impacts not just preparation but also personal time. “You just dive in and go in; it’s less than 92 hours from the end of the Houston game to the start [of] the Pittsburgh game.” The response was sparked by a simple question from Harrison.

“How do you cram all the information that you need to when you have, you know, 30% less time to do it than you would for a usual game? And you still got your own holiday stuff with your own family,” Harrison asked to conclude the interaction. Holthus’s reply fueled the debate about the NFL’s scheduling strategy. “There ain’t nothing happening before that [the game] with family.”

Holthus’s criticism isn’t just about the Chiefs. Holthus pointed out that other teams face similar challenges, with playoff-contending squads forced to endure what feels like an endurance test. “The league has to talk about this,” Holthus insisted, raising concerns about the balance between entertainment and player well-being.

With the short turnaround time between the games, there is an increased risk of injury and players feeling fatigued which can have a direct impact on the team’s performance.

While the Chiefs have gone through this schedule without many hiccups so far, the same cannot be said of the Steelers. They were the only team to face three opponents with winning records during this span and lost to the Eagles and Ravens on the road over a period of six days.

Even Pat McAfee called out the NFL’s scheduling on the NFL GameDay Morning. Listing out his “Pat’s Special Christmas List,” McAfee said, “Number two for my special Christmas wish list, I want that fat man to go over to NFL and say ‘Hey, we need better weekly slates and schedule management.’ Listen, I know it’s not easy, 32 teams, you never know when injuries are going to hit, you never know what teams are going to be good.”

The Chiefs will enter the Week 17 game against the Steelers battling with injuries. DT Chris Jones is unable to get fit in time for the Christmas Day game due to the narrowed time between the games while left tackle Humphries is also out and has not practiced since Week 14. Mahomes was one of the Chiefs’ players who voiced his concern over the quick turnaround time in the festive games.

Mahomes and Reid balance optimism and reality

Andy Reid also spoke about his side’s NFL schedule albeit in his signature calm style. “The main thing is you get guys ready for the game. Give them a chance to get ready for the game,” Reid said. During a media interaction before the Steelers game, the Chiefs’ seasoned HC kept things cryptic when asked about the three games in an 11-day stretch by Rob Collins of FOX4 Kansas City.

“Oh, that’s a tough question, I mean… I’ll let you figure that one out. Or you can my bill,” he replied. Reid’s cryptic response made sure he steered clear of any penalty from the NFL while delivering the message he wanted to deliver. But his QB was more vocal.

“You never want to play this many games in such a short span. It’s not great for your body,” Mahomes admitted, describing the strain but reinforcing his commitment to adapt. However, he remains focused on the task ahead and understands this is the part of the job he does. “But at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession; you have to come to work and do it.”

The Chiefs’ frustrations underscore a larger issue plaguing the NFL: an overstuffed December calendar. And Reid’s leadership becomes pivotal during such a stretch. The Chiefs’ success this season hinges on staying resilient in the face of this grueling test.

The NFL needs to reevaluate its priorities. While December games offer thrilling moments, they must consider the physical and emotional toll on players. Earlier DeAndre Hopkins, who was traded to the Chiefs in October shared the same sentiment.

“I’ve never played this many games in a short amount of time. I think the league should definitely do something about that. … As they preach player safety, I don’t feel this is the best situation for any team. I think the league should review that after the season, just to see how they can help player safety in the future,” Hopkins told the media last Thursday.

There is some food for thought for the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to mull over. Until then, teams like the Chiefs will keep pushing through, one game—and one recovery session—at a time.