Kansas City Chiefs training camp has arrived.
It’s like waking up from a long summer nap, feeling optimistic about the upcoming season, and hoping not to hear any bad news that happened when you weren’t paying attention. Unfortunately, we just learned about the very serious situation at the Bieniemy household that will likely keep offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy away from St. Joe for the foreseeable future. Our hearts go out to his family, and we can only hope for their healing.
While the team
forges ahead and training camp practices begin in earnest, it felt like a good time to identify some Chiefs who might be trending in one direction or another. It’s fair to say that this Chiefs roster should be better than the last, but also has more questions that need answered. The focus will be on the youth— the team seems to be counting on improvement in-house and a boost from the rookie class.
Based on what we’ve heard so far, here are some potential trends to watch when you get to St. Joe. If you can’t make it (or even if you can), be sure to watch for updates from new AP “Chief,” Ron Kopp, Jr.
Bulls
Defensive Lineman Peter Woods: Our own Brandon Kiley wrote about the Chiefs’ plan to build a deeper, more productive defensive line. It’s a formula we’ve been talking about, and offseason reports seem to indicate they are on the right track. The strategy requires versatile young linemen with the ability to play all three downs, and enough depth that they don’t all have to.
So far, Peter Woods is drawing rave reviews from the coaching staff for his football IQ and a little bit of bend. Given the relative weakness on the edge, Woods may have the opportunity to play inside and out, in the mold of Chris Jones. The second first-round pick this year is off to a great start, reporting to camp at a comfortable weight — heavier than last season at Clemson.
The Chiefs’ offensive line: Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but given the Chiefs already have the league’s best interior offensive line, some recent news makes me bullish on the unit as a whole.
First, Josh Simmons shows up all offseason looking lean and mean. Then, the Chiefs felt comfortable enough to trade Wanya Morris to the Atlanta Falcons — likely because of the development of Esa Pole, Kahlil Benson and maybe Chu Godrick too?
Pay attention to the actions of the front office this offseason, not their words. The only real investments in the offense were to the coaching staff and run game. The team is leaning into the big uglies this year. There are only two real questions to answer in camp. 1. Who is the starter at right tackle? 2. Is there finally enough depth to make it through a full season?
The other rookies— Cyrus Allen, Xavier Nwankpa, Jadon Canaday: Training camp starts with quarterbacks and rookies, and there were a few guys who seemed to get a head start on the camp competition. Allen might be competing for the No. 4 wide receiver job— but he’s already building chemistry with Mahomes and showing the types of skills that translate. Nwampka and Canaday have opportunities to impress on special teams and in a young defensive back room with uncertain depth.
Running back Kenneth Walker III: There is now another Super Bowl MVP on the Chiefs roster, and he should be a massive part of the offense this season. Walker seems to be starting off on a good foot, with the respect of Mahomes and the coaching staff. We’ve long wondered what it would be like to see Mahomes play with a great running game; is this the year?
Given the investment in Walker, and the lack of investment elsewhere on the offense— it had better be. Count me in for a 1,500 yd, 10-touchdown season for Kansas City’s new bellcow.
Bears
Cornerback Mansoor Delane, Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott: The Chiefs’ top 2026 draft pick and the first two players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list; there’s some significant talent here waiting to get healthy.
Delane and Norman-Lott are each critically important to Spagnolo’s defensive reboot. Each will be given every opportunity to ease into the preseason. But if either is expected to miss significant time when the games start counting, a roster move and a veteran replacement could be necessary.
As for Gyllenborg, he’s a hometown kid with a real shot at making the roster in a thin position group, but his knee injury could cost him his rookie season. Training camp is the time to get healthy and to learn the playbook, so let’s hope that these guys can still do that.
Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah: If it’s ever going to happen, it has to be this preseason. He’s still young enough to turn his career around, but a breakout season feels very unlikely. Let’s hope for some excitement for FAU in St. Joe.
Wide receivers Nikko Remigio and Jalen Royals: Yes, the wide receiver room should be wide open. There are questions about the health and decision-making of Rashee Rice. There are some (not me) who doubt Xavier Worthy will live up to his ability. There are also 13 guys competing for the jobs after Rice, Worthy and Tyquan Thornton.
Among those are Remigio, a previous camp “darling” who became a productive return man, and Royals, who was once a promising draft pick, but never found a role in 2025. This year’s training camp wide receiver battle is likely to be all about a couple of rookies from Cincinnati that were built for St. Joe. Can Remigio or Royals create some buzz? Or will they fade into the hall of “what could have been had they been given more chances?“
Value (sleeper) pick
Cornerback Kader Kohou: After missing the entire 2025 NFL season, many have forgotten about Kader Kohou. Prior to the injury, he was an impressive slot corner with physicality, the ability to blitz, and a nose for the football. He’ll have real competition for the job with the Chiefs from Chris Roland-Wallace and the aforementioned Canaday. But we shouldn’t be shocked if Kohou slides in as the starter and doesn’t give the job back anytime soon.
