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There’s one thing Kansas City Chiefs fans can feel certain about the 2026 offense: running back Kenneth Walker will be a large, pivotal factor in its success.
That said, there’s a lot to learn about the backs behind him on the depth chart. Veteran running back Emari Demercado projects to fill the third-down back role, but could rookie running back Emmett Johnson challenge him for those pass-down snaps?
Emmett Johnson’s pass-catching prowess and 6 things that stood out in Kansas City Chiefs’ head start
to 2026 training camp | A to Z Sports
That third area stood out the most. Johnson has proven to be a natural catcher of the football. It’s through hard work, as he was seen on the JUGS machine before and after practice. He told reporters he gets 200 catches in per day, and prides himself on catching the ball well. He sees it as his path to contribute quickest in the NFL.
Pos. OT
J. Simmons
KC | Age 23He was remarkably solid in his first few games as a pro, seemingly answering Kansas City’s persistent question at left tackle. But after Simmons missed four games because of a “family matter,” a wrist injury ultimately ended his rookie season after just eight contests. The health issues will remain a concern, especially when considering the patellar tendon injury that tanked his draft stock, but if Simmons stays active, he’ll own a place on this team at this time next year, too — and the Chiefs will be glad they took a risk on him with the 32nd pick two Aprils ago.
Joe Bleymaier to help lead Chiefs offense while Eric Bieniemy is away | KMBC 9
During Bieniemy’s absence, pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier will help oversee the offense, and offensive line coach Andy Heck will continue to lead the run game.
“So, we’ll be able to keep it moving here. But the most important thing is that EB has an opportunity to spend some time there and take care of that business,” Reid said.
Bleymaier has been with the Chiefs since 2016, beginning as an offensive quality control coach.
He later served as pass game analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach from 2018 to 2020, and as wide receivers coach from 2021 to 2022.
The 1 UDFA with Best Chance to Make the Roster in Every NFL Team’s Training Camp | Bleacher Report
Kansas City Chiefs: S Xavier Nwankpa
“Nwankpa is routinely in the right place,” Harms said. “As such, he can wear a multitude of hats for a defense. He excels as a box safety, reading out plays and triggering downhill to make big hits. The defensive back reads the quarterbacks eyes and locates the football at a high level, adding to his impact as a read-and-react defender, particularly in the run game. He’s a well-equipped tackler and understands leverage.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have two more Bearcat pass catchers that are turning eyes | FanSided
Chiefs digest writer Matt Derrick has been at almost every Chiefs practice and camp available to the media and has noted that “He’s looked the same in every practice. I have not seen him have a bad practice yet.” Derrick also said that he had a few catches from Mahomes in a 7-on-7 period and that he continues to be impressed with him.
There haven’t been much camp news surrounding Jeff Caldwell, but his NFL Combine athleticism score of 99 keeps fans excited for what is it come of the 6-foot-5 receiver.
Around the NFL
Two-time Pro Bowl DT Vita Vea requests trade from Buccaneers | ESPN
Vea was a hold-in at the team’s mandatory minicamp last month because of his contract situation. Coach Todd Bowles said he wasn’t concerned at that time, calling it “part of the business.”
Vea, 31, is entering the final year of a four-year, $71 million contract. He is set to earn $17 million this season, but none of it is guaranteed. He also is set to earn a per-game roster bonus that is capped at $1 million total.
Commanders fire TE coach Ben Steele following DWI arrest in Virginia | Yahoo! Sports
In the announcement, the Commanders said they would share no further information. But The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala reported that Steele was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated on June 7 in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Additionally, Steele was charged with obstruction/resisting an officer without force for refusing to take a blood/breath test on the scene, according to court records (via ESPN’s John Keim).
Jamal Adams joins the Vikings | Pro Football Talk
Adams spent three years with the Jets, making it to two Pro Bowls and finishing 2018 as a second-team All-Pro and 2019 as a first-team All-Pro.
He was traded to the Seahawks in 2020, qualifying for a third Pro Bowl and finishing on the All-Pro second team. The next year, he signed a four-year, $70 million extension that made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
He stayed with the Seahawks through 2023. In 2024, he played for the Titans and Lions. After switching last year from safety to linebacker, Adams appeared in 17 games with four starts for the Raiders.
The cover athlete for Madden NFL 24, Allen returns for his second straight 99 Club appearance following a debut in the group in last year’s title. Allen finished third in MVP voting last season after posting 3,668 passing yards and 25 touchdowns along with 579 yards and 14 more TDs on the ground.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
10 Biggest Chiefs Questions: Can Mahomes play with fewer scrambles?
Mahomes has long helped this issue with his legs. If that’s off the table, how will the Chiefs be able to compensate for that?
The offense will need receivers to step up in these situations to help Mahomes out. I’m skeptical.
The Chiefs will likely struggle to move the chains on third-and-long if Mahomes has to stay within the pocket, but having a stronger run game can mitigate how many of those situations you’re put in.
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