The latest
’ offense features the biggest changes the team made this offseason, with a new offensive coaching staff and a new lead running back.However, there is plenty that is brand new on the Chiefs’ defense as well. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is focused on getting his unit in sync and provided an update on how that process is going during his press conference on Tuesday.
Steve Spagnuolo admits Chiefs’ new-look defense is moving slower than he’d like | The Kansas City Star
Getting everybody in sync is taking a little too long.
“It’s not as quickly as I’d like to, to be honest with you,” Spagnuolo said. “It’s been a little slow-moving. And (safety) Alohi Gilman, he’s new. It’s not like you have guys around some of these young corners that have been through it.”
Spagnuolo’s unit is set to have at least six new base starters in 2026, including three in the secondary. In years past, mainstays like Trent McDuffie or Bryan Cook might have been around to help teach on the fly.
Five Observations from Tuesday’s Practice | Chiefs Training Camp 8/11 | The Mothership
2. Safety Jaden Hicks had another strong day.
Hicks, who made a handful of noteworthy plays during Monday’s practice, was back at it on Tuesday with another impressive performance.
Specifically, the third-year safety made a strong pass-breakup on a tight window throw near the sideline during 11-on-11 drills before logging a diving pass-breakup down the field a little bit later.
According to Tyrann Mathieu, who played with Mahomes from 2019 to 2021, the quarterback is very happy with what he’s seen from the young receiver so far, and the coaches are also impressed by his practices during camp.
“One of our homegrown kids, Cyrus Allen, has taken it by storm. Pat loves him, coaches love him. He was banged up a little bit, so he didn’t really practice while I was there, but me and him had a bunch of conversations, and he asked all the right questions, too”, said Mathieu.
Reason for pessimism
Part of the reason for the Chiefs’ struggles in 2025 was a lack of production at wide receiver. Marquise Brown led the group with just 587 receiving yards, while Rashee Rice’s 77.2 PFF receiving grade was the best among the team’s wide receivers. Xavier Worthy also took a step back from his rookie season, with his PFF receiving grade falling from 71.6 to 66.3 and his yards per route run dropping from 1.51 to 1.25.
Rice is expected to be available in Week 1 after missing significant time in each of the past two seasons. His career average of 2.29 yards per route run highlights his status as Kansas City’s most productive wide receiver, but the Chiefs need him to stay on the field in 2026.
Retired NFL DL says Patrick Mahomes should sit out the season opener | Chiefs Wire
During a recent appearance on CBS Sports HQ, NFL Analyst and former defensive lineman Leger Douzable discussed whether Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes should sit out the first few weeks of the regular season.
“I wouldn’t even play him Week One, maybe even Week Two; you sign Justin Fields or trade for Justin Fields to come in to potentially start in the beginning of the season until Patrick Mahomes is truly healthy,” said Douzable. “My thing is, if Mahomes isn’t 100%, I would not risk putting him out there. They just signed him to an extension, so he could be there for, it seems, forever. Why would you risk him?”
Now that Simmons is healthy and in the best shape of his life, the only starting spot available to Moore is on the right side. Although he’s predominantly played left tackle throughout his NFL career — including over 90% of his combined snaps in San Francisco — Moore is more than willing to adjust to a new spot on the offensive line.
“Honestly for me, throughout my career, I’ve been back and forth,” Moore said. “It’s good to get the reps on either side because at any point, anything can happen. And it’s good to make sure that every one of our guys are able to play multiple different positions and be able to play wherever your number is called.”
Around the NFL
Bears safety Coby Bryant to miss 4-6 months after knee surgery | The Athletic
The Bears’ prize of free agency, Bryant signed a three-year, $40 million contract in March. In his limited time with the team, he had already impressed the Bears both on and off the field. He made an outstanding interception earlier in camp, while his teammates and coaches have raved about his work habits and leadership.
“I love his play style,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said last month. “I think it epitomizes the way we want to play the game.”
First-round rookie Dillon Thieneman is the other starting safety, and a major plus of having a Super Bowl-winning safety like Bryant was his ability to help Thieneman grow. Now, that challenge will fall to a different player.
Vikings name Kyler Murray starting QB over J.J. McCarthy | ESPN
The deal includes $101 million guaranteed with $63.35 million guaranteed at signing, according to sources. Williams also received a signing bonus of $31.85 million, a source said.
The $35.3 million annual average is the second highest among defensive tackles.
Williams, 28, had been signed through 2027 in a four-year extension worth $96 million that guaranteed him $66 million from the New York Jets in 2023. He is now signed through 2030.
Chargers OC Mike McDaniel plans to play ‘hot hand’ out of RB group | NFL.com
“Bad news, fantasy owners,” McDaniel said via Kris Rhim of ESPN. “Good news is I see all three of those guys producing at a very high level. Bad news is I can’t tell you which games those are.”
McDaniel spoke glowingly about running back Hampton early in training camp, noting how much the second-year back has grown. Hampton still profiles as the lead running back, with three-down upside, but McDaniel’s comments underscore that there are few true workhorses in the NFL in 2026.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs’ Steve Spagnuolo ‘always had an affection’ for Emmanuel Ogbah
Kansas City will reportedly be signing veteran defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, a former member of the Chiefs during the 2019 season. That was his fourth year in the league; the 32-year-old is now entering his 11th season with 48 career sacks to his name.
The reunion has been a long time coming; defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo revealed his affinity for Ogbah during a post-practice press conference on Tuesday.
“I always had an affection for E,” Spagnuolo said. “It was disappointing, the one year we had him in 2019, I thought he was really coming on, then he got hurt so we didn’t have him at the end of the year.”
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