Andy Reid on Kyle Shanahan choosing to receive in overtime: 'He's a pretty smart guy, gotta be a reason why he did that'

Andy Reid acknowledged Kyle Shanahan’s reasoning to take the ball first in overtime of the Super Bowl. The 49ers managed to kick a field goal to take a 22-19 lead in the extra period.

However, it wasn’t enough as Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs down the field and scored a game-winning touchdown as time expired in the overtime period. Had the Chiefs just tied the game, regardless if the game ended in the first overtime or extended into a second, the 49ers would’ve had the opportunity to get the ball back.

But, it was all for naught. Reid was asked by ESPN’s Booger McFarland why he thought Shanahan wanted the ball first rather than see how the defense would change the situation.

“He’s a pretty smart guy; so that’s gotta be a reason why he did that,” Reid said postgame on ESPN. Everyone’s got their own philosophy on it. And I get it; so I don’t know if there’s a right or wrong way. We felt that you kickoff first but that’s neither here nor there. That’s what we think. Listen, the guy’s a great football coach.”

NFL Operations as well as ESPN’s Adam Schefter both shared clarifications of the new overtime rules, which were instituted for the first time in the playoffs Sunday.

These rules went into effect following an AFC Divisional matchup between Kansas City and the Buffalo Bills in 2022. Buffalo did not get to possess the football due to the previous rules and ended up losing 42-36 in Arrowhead Stadium.

The NFL has seen 28 playoff games since the amendments to the rule and none had needed an extra period. That changed tonight in Allegiant Stadium with a Lombardi Trophy on the line.

Overtime still lasts 15 minutes like an additional quarter. However, unlike the previous procedures, both teams will get an opportunity to have a possession in the extra time unless the opening kickoff leads to a safety for the kicking team. If either team leads after those two possessions, they are the winner of the contest.

If neither team scores on their possession, it becomes a next-score-wins scenario, regardless of if it comes by safety, field goal, or a touchdown of any kind.

Had the 49ers gotten another shot, perhaps Reid would be right, Shanahan would be pretty smart, wouldn’t he? However, it did not happen as Reid got the better of the 49ers coach for the second time in the Super Bowl.

With that, Reid won his third Super Bowl in five appearances (four with the Chiefs, one with the Eagles). Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the MVP for the third time.