ENGLEWOOD • Sean Payton and Andy Reid go way back.

“I would consider him a good friend,” Payton said Tuesday at Broncos headquarters.

As Payton’s Broncos (1-4) prepare for a matchup with Reid’s Chiefs (4-1) at Arrowhead Stadium Thursday night, the Broncos coach reflected on their longstanding relationship.

Payton recalled 1999, when he joined the Giants as quarterbacks coach and Reid was hired as head coach of the rival Eagles. They are the rare NFL coaches who stuck in one place — or were allowed to stick in one place — for long periods of time. Reid had 14 seasons in Philadelphia before his 11 (and counting) in Kansas City, while Payton had 15 seasons in New Orleans.

“For years we were in the same division (NFC East). ( We had) playoff games. He’s done a great job,” Payton said. “He’s certainly a guy you study, a mentor to so many of us. His consistency in a league that’s hard to have that kind of staying power. He’s someone you’re always looking at and studying the film on. Those are the things that come to mind.

“He’s been fantastic. He’s in the middle of a fantastic career.”

Too fantastic, if you’re the Broncos.

Thanks in large part to Reid’s innovative offensive mind, Kansas City has won the AFC West seven years running, the longest streak in the division’s history. But if Denver ever gets its act together, Payton-Reid matchups should develop into biannual must-see programming.

Week 6 marks Payton’s first matchup with the Chiefs as Broncos coach, though the teams face off again in Week 8.

“When he had (Eagles quarterback) Donovan McNabb, I can (still) remember the offense. Through the years as personnel have changed with him, there’s always been adapting,” Payton said. “It’s always evolved around his personnel. That’s good teaching. It’s good coaching. He’s always got unique ideas and thoughts.”

The secret sauce in Kansas City, Payton said, is cerebral as much as it is physical. Star tight end Travis Kelce has 1,290 receiving yards against the Broncos, his most against any team.

“Regardless of the receivers, he’s always been a little bit of the spaghetti sauce for what they do,” Payton said of Kelce. “One of the things you see with him is great football IQ. Sometimes they’ll say there’s improvising, but it’s always with good instincts and clarity. The quarterback and him are always on the same page.”

Yes, then there’s Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who, Payton said, wins with his brain as much as his laser-rocket arm.

“The other thing with Patrick is he processes information very fast,” Payton said. “Some guys can multitask at a high level. He’s one of those guys.”

The Chiefs own a 15-game win streak in the most lopsided rivalry in the NFL.

“It hasn’t come up,” Payton said of the streak.

How does Payton finally win over Broncos Country?

Beating his buddy would be a good start.

Trade deadline talk

The trade deadline is Oct. 31. With the Broncos looking like sellers, Payton was asked if he’s discussed moves with general manager George Paton. He said they speak 3-4 times daily about all matters.

“We’re not looking to do business with any of our players. That doesn’t prevent teams from calling at times. You pick the phone up. That’s kind of where it’s at,” Payton said.

Wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, among others, have been rumored to be potential trade pieces if the Broncos elect to unload contracts and acquire assets for the future.

“We’ve got a good handle on this current roster and our vision for the roster a year from now. That’s the part about improving and getting better,” Payton said. “But until you just said it, I wouldn’t have known it (the trade deadline) was three weeks away. Three weeks feels like an eternity right now.”

Russ: Continuity a Chiefs key

Quarterback Russell Wilson said Kansas City’s continuity is a key to its success. In addition to Reid’s 15 seasons with the Chiefs, Kelce has been there 11 seasons, Mahomes seven.

“They’ve been together a while,” Wilson said Tuesday.

The Broncos enter Thursday as a 10.5-point underdog, the fifth time in six games they’ve been an underdog and first as a double-digit underdog. Wilson said “poise” is priority No. 1.

“You have to have amnesia,” Wilson said.

Notes

Broncos TE Greg Dulcich is “close” to a return from a hamstring injury, Payton said. The Broncos designated Dulcich for return from injured reserve. “He’s been working his tail off,” the coach added. … The Broncos released WR Michael Bandy from the practice squad. ... The Broncos will fly to Kansas City Wednesday night. … RB Javonte Williams, who was inactive against the Jets due to a hip injury, was not listed on the injury report Tuesday. … Broncos DB Patrick Surtain II said he expects to match up with Kelce at times. “He’s like a unicorn,” Surtain said. … Broncos LB Frank Clark, who spent the previous four seasons with the Chiefs, did not practice Tuesday. “He was sick,” said Payton, who did not disclose if he expects Clark to play at Arrowhead.