The Kansas City Chiefs held practice sessions on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, featuring just the rookies, quarterbacks and select veterans before the entire team arrives in St. Joe at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday.
While we await the practices opening to public attendance next week, we’re relying on observations from local media on the scene. After two days, let’s summarize what we’ve learned so far about the Chiefs from camp:
1. Patrick Mahomes is off and running
On Friday, head coach Andy Reid revealed that starting
quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fully cleared for practice to begin training camp.
On Saturday, in a video posted by Jesse Newell of The Athletic on X, Mahomes showed off his ability to get out from under center and into a handoff action while wearing the brace he is wearing for the time being. In his press conference, he said he was comfortable with it because he wore it in college; there are no plans for how long he will wear it.
According to Nick Jacobs of KSHB 41, Mahomes made a few touchdown-worthy throws towards the end zone on Saturday during a seven-on-seven period. This was his description of Mahomes’ day in his training camp notebook.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes continued to participate in all individual and 7-on-7 drills without any issues. He started off with a good back pylon throw to wide receiver Jimmy Holiday for a touchdown in 7-on-7.
Mahomes later followed that up with a spot on no-look pass in timing, placement and velocity to wide receiver Andrew Armstrong. He placed it in the end zone on a slant route in between two zone coverages. The pass was unfortunately dropped.
Based on the observations of ESPN’s Nate Taylor, Mahomes’ touchdown throw to Holiday featured rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane trailing in man coverage.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s practice, Delane said Mahomes is “as advertised. He’s a great quarterback.”
On Sunday, Mahomes continued to show off his movement out of under-center looks and throwing on the run in the beginning portion of practice.
The two-time MVP quarterback would go on to have a prolific day in team work. According to Harold Kuntz of FOX4, who tweeted out the video above, Mahomes finished the first seven-on-seven period of Sunday with five completions over five throws, including a “deep route caught by Omari Evans,” an undrafted rookie receiver.
2. Mansoor Delane is embracing a slow start to camp
After being selected with the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft, cornerback Mansoor Delane has not been on the field as often as anyone would like during the Chiefs’ offseason practices. He injured his shoulder during OTAs and began wearing a yellow, non-contact uniform that he has worn to start practices this weekend.
As mentioned earlier, Delane was beat by a reserve receiver for a touchdown during seven-on-seven periods, aided by a Mahomes throw. If that negative play, or any other, figures into any anxiety Delane has about beginning camp as a limited participant, he doesn’t seem like the type to make that a negative.
“I’m a guy if I lose reps, it motivates me to get better,” Delane told reporters on Saturday. “That just means I’ve got more room to grow. I almost get excited about those things, but at the same time you don’t want the same mistake to keep happening.”
3. Eric Bieniemy is back, and he won’t let you miss him
From Jacobs’ observations of the team’s initial practice, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is making his presence felt — or heard — in his return to Kansas City.
Jacobs noted how “vocal” Bieniemy was during seven-on-seven periods, coaching the skill-position players with consistent energy.
If you visit training camp this year, you’ll likely be able to hear Bieniemy “getting them right.” By all accounts, it’s a noticeable difference compared to the previous offensive coordinator.
4. Wide receiver Cyrus Allen is taking advantage of time with Mahomes, Reid
Without the main core of receivers at camp until Wednesday’s practice, Mahomes has been throwing to lesser-known players this weekend. One player seems to be doing his best to get familiar with the two-time MVP.
From Taylor’s observations of Sunday’s practice, Allen was on the receiving end of “one of the highlights” of practice. After scanning the field, Mahomes put up a ball for Allen to jump up and secure in traffic towards the back of the end zone.
All offseason, Allen has been regarded as a strong route runner; it’s important to remember that not all of that comes from physical skills. He “spent a few minutes” listening to head coach Andy Reid in a one-on-one session between reps, according to Taylor. He apparently has been tasked with improving on “pre-snap awareness so that he can better anticipate the secondary’s coverage.”
Our Jared Sapp wrote about Allen’s willingness to take coaching so far.
The real competitors for the No. 4 receiver spot seem to be Nikko Remigio, Jalen Royals and Allen. Only one of them is getting three days as Mahomes’ top target while the other two wait may get lost in the mix once the full-team practice begins.
