Andy Reid reveals that he tried to get receiver Larry Fitzgerald to join the Chiefs

It won’t be long before Larry Fitzgerald is chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Fitzgerald, who last played in the 2020 season, is second all-time in NFL history in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492). His 121 touchdown receptions are sixth most in league history.

During his 17-year career, Fitzgerald played for just one team: the Arizona Cardinals.

But if Chiefs coach Andy Reid had his way, Fitzgerald would have spent some time in Kansas City.

While on the “Let’s Go! with Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray” podcast, Reid said he tried to get Fitzgerald to join the Chiefs.

Fitzgerald signed a series of one-year contracts/extensions with the Cardinals in 2018, 2019 and 2020, but he apparently had an offer to come to KC and play with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I’ve tried to hire Larry 15 different times, man,” Reid said. “I begged him even when he was out a year to come back. Come on.”

Brady said: “That makes two of us. I tried to recruit Larry many times and he kept shooting me down. ... Most guys get excited. Fitzy’s like, ‘Nah, I’m pretty good here.’ And I said, ‘Wait a minute. Hold on. We gotta get you into some big, big games.’ He said, No, I’m pretty happy with where I’m at.’ I think he made a good decision.”

Reid agreed.

“He’s the mayor there,” Reid said. “I mean, he owns the place.”

The Chiefs have had great success in the Mahomes Era, so Fitzgerald may not have made that big of a difference in Kansas City, but it’s a fun “what-if” scenario.

Reid also encouraged Brady to stay retired.

“By the way don’t come back. Don’t come back either,” Reid said to laughter. “I’m just putting that out there. You looked good over in the Raiders locker room but don’t come back. Listen, I know the numbers fairly well and two out of the three Super Bowls that I’ve had a chance to lose have been to No. 12.”