“Chiefs’ Andy Reid Explains Team’s Commitment to Traveling for Training Camp Amid Growing NFL Trend to Stay Home”

As the NFL continues to evolve, a notable trend has emerged: more teams are opting to stay home for training camp, leveraging state-of-the-art facilities and avoiding the logistical challenges of travel. In 2025, only eight teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, are bucking this shift by heading to off-site locations. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, a staunch advocate for the traditional approach, recently shed light on why the team remains committed to traveling for training camp, despite the league’s changing landscape.

Reid’s preference for an off-site camp stems from a belief in the value of camaraderie and team bonding. Speaking ahead of the Chiefs’ annual trek to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, he emphasized the unique environment it creates. “We love the setup here. The people treat us great, and it’s great to get away from the city and house guys in the same dorm,” Reid said. He added that the shared experience of eating and sleeping together fosters communication among players, a critical element in today’s era of constant digital distraction. “Especially in this day and age when people are on phones all day, they have to talk,” he noted via text to reporters.

This approach contrasts sharply with the majority of the league, where 24 teams have chosen to remain at their home facilities. The shift is driven by advances in sports science, modern infrastructure, and player preferences for staying close to family. With single daily practices now the norm and resources like rehab and conditioning readily available on-site, the need to travel has diminished for many. Yet, Reid sees merit in the old-school method, arguing that it builds a toughness and unity that have contributed to the Chiefs’ recent success—three Super Bowl titles in the last five years.
The Chiefs’ decision also reflects Reid’s coaching philosophy, which prioritizes internal competition over joint practices—a practice adopted by 27 teams this year. Reid has consistently avoided such sessions, citing concerns about revealing strategies and avoiding potential skirmishes. Instead, he relies on the team’s rigorous in-house drills to prepare players. “The way we go about it, we practice hard, and the guys challenge each other. I don’t think there’s a better way to do it if your guys are willing to do that,” he explained.
Data supports the effectiveness of this approach. Since joining Kansas City in 2013, Reid has led the team to 11 postseason appearances, nine consecutive division titles, and five Super Bowl appearances, including three consecutive from Super Bowl 57 to 59. Players like Patrick Mahomes have echoed Reid’s sentiments, noting that the grueling camp experience has fueled their ability to stage late-game comebacks. “I think that’s why we’ve been able to have all these kind of late-finishing, comeback-type wins,” Mahomes said.
While the NFL’s trend toward home-based camps may offer convenience, Reid’s commitment to tradition highlights a deliberate choice to preserve a culture that has proven successful. As the Chiefs prepare for the 2025 season, their training camp in St. Joseph stands as a testament to Reid’s belief that stepping away from the comforts of home can strengthen the bonds necessary to compete at the highest level. Whether this approach continues to yield championships remains to be seen, but for now, it remains a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ identity under Reid’s leadership

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