Andy Reid wants Derrick Johnson to return to coach for Chiefs

The moment Derrick Johnson is ready to hang up his cleats, he’s got an immediate home as a coach with the Kansas City Chiefs, says Andy Reid.

For the last 13 seasons, Derrick Johnson has been a leader in the heart of the Kansas City Chiefs defense. As a team captain, he’s certainly already been a coach on the field playing under several different head coaches and defensive coordinators. Both as a physical and emotional leader, Johnson is a complete package of a player.

It is those same traits that Andy Reid is likely appreciating when he says that he would welcome back Johnson as a coach if and when he decides to hang up his cleats. Earlier this offseason, the Chiefs made it clear that they were moving on from DJ in the middle of the defense by allowing his contract to expire. Johnson made it clear he wants to still play multiple seasons, but Reid says there’s always a home for him after his playing days.

Speaking from the 2018 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Andy Reid spoke to reporters about a number of topics and had this to say about Johnson.

"“This is one of my favorite guys I’ve ever coached,” Reid said. “I’m pulling for him that maybe (another playing gig) happens for him in the future, but I told him if it doesn’t, just come back and he can start his coaching career. He’s a top-notch kid.”"

This year, Johnson returned triumphant from an Achilles injury for the second time in his career. He showed himself a step slower, which led the Chiefs to decrease his snaps as the season wore on, playing him in a rotation with Kevin Pierre-Louis and Reggie Ragland, both preseason acquisitions by new general manager Brett Veach.

Johnson is leaving Kansas City as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler and he also has an impressive 22 forced fumbles, 27.5 sacks and 14 interceptions.