New receiver Jeremy Maclin working to develop chemistry with Chiefs QB Alex Smith

On Monday, the first day of the Chiefs’ offseason training program, Jeremy Maclin and Alex Smith tossed the football around in the team’s indoor facility for the first time, though neither player made much of it in subsequent interviews.

“It was more so just catching, kind of seeing how the rotation (of the ball) comes out,” said Maclin, a wide receiver who signed a five-year, $55 million contract in free agency. “Everything was smooth.”

Still, it was the first of many steps the Chiefs’ big-money quarterback and receiver must take to develop the kind of chemistry it will take to raise the overall explosiveness of the Chiefs’ passing game in 2015.

“Yeah, it was good, good to kind of get going on the first day,” Smith said. “I had met him a few times and been around him and talked to him on the phone since we signed him, but it was great to get face to face and throw a little bit.”

Smith is unsure how long it will take for the two to develop chemistry and trust, but is optimistic about getting the process started with Maclin, who already has a deeper understanding of coach Andy Reid’s system thanks to the four years he spent under him in Philadelphia from 2009 to 2012.

“I think some things click for some guys faster than others, it just depends,” Smith said. “I think there will be a little more of smoother transition — he’s been in the system, he’s learned his terminology. None of this is brand new for either of us.”

Maclin agreed, noting that the terminology in Reid’s playbook is pretty much the same as it was a few years ago, and he considers himself to be a very, very fast learner, anyway.

“I felt very comfortable in that meeting today,” Maclin said. “The fact I had the opportunity play in this particular (offense) before is definitely going to help me.”

In 2014, his first as the No. 1 option in an offense, Maclin, 26, caught 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns in Eagles coach Chip Kelly’s high-octane system. He consistently showcased the ability to separate vertically from defenders and track the deep ball, both of which were glaringly missing in the Chiefs’ offense.

According to Pro Football Focus, Maclin had nine downfield catches of 20 yards or more last season, which ranked 16th out of 74 receivers who had at least 25 targets. He also gained 356 yards and scored five touchdowns on such passes, the latter of which tied for fourth-most in the league.

In comparison, Maclin had five more downfield catches for 221 more yards than the Chiefs’ entire receiving corps combined for last season.

On the Chiefs’ side, there are plenty of reasons for this.

The offensive line was leaky in pass protection, the receiving corps lacked speed and separation ability and Smith rarely took chances downfield, attempting deep throws only 5.2 percent of the time last season. That ranked 37th and dead last among quarterbacks who attempted at least 25 percent of their team’s passes.

But when asked directly if the Chiefs can take advantage of the deep ball more than they have in past years, Smith said they could.

“Absolutely,” Smith said. “For one, the deep ball for sure is something that gets a lot of attention.It’s a matter of time and striking when it’s right and being able to take advantage of those opportunities that are few and far between. When you get them, you’ve got to be able to hit them. That’s kind of the nature of it. They are a lower percentage just across the board.”

Smith was also quick to add that Maclin is more than just a deep-ball threat, which was a subtle reminder that the Chiefs likely plan on featuring him on the myriad short-to-intermediate concepts they like to throw to take advantage of his burst and route running.

“I think as far as Jeremy goes, I think he’s the type of receiver that excels in all the areas,” Smith said. “I think that’s his biggest strength, just watching from afar. I don’t think you can kind of pigeon-hole him as just a speed guy or over-the-top guy. His game is way more complex than that and he can do a lot of different things.”

It’s also important to remember that Reid’s offense is built to spread the football around and take advantage of whatever the defense is giving them. That means Maclin will serve as a decoy at times, which will presumably create opportunities for established playmakers like running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Travis Kelce.

And don’t forget the Chiefs’ secondary weapons, either. De’Anthony Thomas emerged as a weapon as a specialty player last season, while Albert Wilson came on strong late last season. Meanwhile, veteran slot receiver Jason Avant immediately earned Smith’s trust with his veteran savvy and hands when he was signed last November.

“When you really think about it, in the National Football League you pay a cornerback a lot of money and he shuts down one player,” Avant said. “But when you can have a tight end or running backs that can get open in man coverage against lesser athletes — not that their bad athletes — they’re just not getting paid as much to cover people. We have that working for us.”

And with this year’s draft class considered to be a strong at receiver, it’s not out of the question to think the Chiefs could add some more punch to the position. With Maclin expected to start at the “Z” receiver position — the spotlight receiver spot in Reid’s offense — and Avant more comfortable in the slot, Wilson — an undrafted free agent a year ago — is currently the favorite to start at the “X,” the other outside spot.

“The thing I would love for (Wilson) to do is try to get better every game and not live up to the standard of the media,” Avant said.” Can he be a very, very dangerous player? Yes. But that remains on Albert. Other guys have to put him in the best situation and we have to teach him certain things.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but can he be a great player in this league? Yes. He gets upfield faster than anybody. That’s just one thing. In order to make the first guy miss is a natural gift and he has that ability.”

But no matter what happens in the draft, there’s little doubt that the key to a more explosive passing offense will ultimately rest in the hands of Smith and Maclin, and how quickly they mesh.

That process began this week, and it’s hard to take Smith’s initial thoughts on his new weapon as anything other than optimistic.

“We watched a lot of film the last couple of years, obviously with him at the Eagles, and (he’s) smooth, smooth (with) great body language, ” Smith said. “He’s easy to throw to.”

This story was originally published April 25, 2015 at 6:28 PM with the headline "New receiver Jeremy Maclin working to develop chemistry with Chiefs QB Alex Smith."