The Kansas City Chiefs finished the second of three OTA sessions on Thursday, and Head Coach Andy Reid was very chatty with the media. So, what did we learn this week about his football team?
Obviously, the big news of the week was that Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, five months removed from surgery to repair his ACL and LCL, was throwing the rock around the football field.
Granted, he was still limited to some degree, but in the images we saw, it was clear he remains on pace to potentially start the season as QB1. He did participate in all the drills except the 11-on-11 drills that avoided lateral movement. That makes sense, and even Mahomes admitted he can’t do all the things yet.
However, it was a good gauge of his progress and the remarkable work ethic that has driven him to spend up to eight hours on rehab – seven days a week. With one more OTA session and the mandatory mini-camp over the next two weeks, the more work he gets in with the receivers, the better.
For the most part, the offense is set, except at right tackle. It appears it’s going to be a three-way battle among veteran Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole, and Wanya Morris. Though Pole is listed as Justin Simmons’ primary backup, he has the biggest upside to unseat Moore as the starter at right tackle.
To me, Pole should be considered for the starting job because I’m not sure Moore can handle 17 games. He played well in spurts last season, but his footwork broke down over time, and he became a liability.
However, I would not rule out drafted free agent Kahill Benson from Indiana. He’s a talented tackle with size and tremendous footwork, and the Chiefs were lucky to sign him after the NFL Draft.
At the receiver position, it’s clear that coach Chad O’Shea is in charge of this group. He was barking, pushing, and getting his receivers to dial into the system he’s creating. In other words, he’s changing the culture of the room.
Xavier Worthy might be the key to the Chiefs’ offense, especially with the unknown surrounding Rashee Rice. He has to be O’Shea’s top project. Worthy had surgery to clean up some issues in the off-season, so he wore the non-contact yellow jersey.
With Rice out, other receivers will get more reps, which will only benefit the Chiefs long term. Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, Cyrus Allen, and my sleeper, Jeff Caldwell, will be the focal point of development.
Last year, Thornton emerged from the shadows, but his role was more of a go receiver. That will change under O’Shea. He’s too talented not to use in the middle of the field, which is where I think the offense will focus on getting their yards this season.
On defense, the secondary was crowded. Obviously, draft picks Mansoor Delane and Jadon Canady. Both are locks to make the roster, and with the emergence of Nohl Williams last season, this group can absorb the losses of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
One name to keep an eye on is former Buffalo Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam. He’s certainly a project, and he could battle Kristen Fulton for playing time. He struggled in Buffalo, but the Chiefs believe coaching could be the key to changing the trajectory of his NFL career.
Kansas City is blessed with the best secondary coach in the NFL, and if Dave Merritt can correct his flaws – most notably being too hands-on on defense – I can see him making the 53-man roster.
The Chiefs will return to the practice field next Tuesday.
