Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp ends. Here’s what we learned over last 4 weeks
Following the 19th and final day of full-squad training camp, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stood in front of reporters Thursday and said he was happy with the team’s work.
“I thought it was a competitive camp. I think that was the best thing,” Mahomes said. “ ... I thought every day, you just didn’t know if the offense or the defense was going to win. That’s when it’s a great camp.”
So, what did we learn about the Chiefs these past four weeks at Missouri Western’s campus?
A month ago, we wrote about five of the biggest storylines heading into training camp. Let’s give an update on where each of those stands.
Question: Who will emerge as Patrick Mahomes’ left tackle?
Verdict: Kingsley Suamataia.
This question seemed to be settled from the early stages of practice.
Suamataia was elevated to first-team reps for the team’s first fully padded practice in late July and only gained momentum after that. He then received starter-like treatment during the team’s first preseason game, at Jacksonville, while also earning compliments from coach Andy Reid.
“I thought he did a nice job in there,” Reid said of Suamataia on Monday. “His feet, his sets were good. He was aggressive. I thought for the short time that he was in, he did a nice job.”
Suamataia will be tested more in Saturday’s preseason game against Detroit when the starters play roughly a quarter. For now, at least, the Chiefs appear comfortable with the rookie left tackle protecting Mahomes’ blind side — not only for Game 1 this season, but potentially for the foreseeable future.
Question: Will the suspension be announced?
Verdict: No.
With every day that passes, it appears more likely that receiver Rashee Rice might not face punishment this season for his actions in an offseason Dallas car crash that seriously injured other drivers.
The NFL typically waits for legal matters to resolve before deciding on personal conduct policy suspensions. And while Rice will undoubtedly face a penalty at some point, his legal matter hasn’t seen any updates lately, meaning it’s likely to drag on longer than might’ve previously been anticipated.
Rice was the Chiefs’ best receiver in training camp this year, so he’s in line for a big season if he stays healthy and avoids suspension.
Question: Who steps up following L’Jarius Sneed’s departure?
Verdict: To be determined.
The Chiefs have some options in the secondary but no definitive answers, even as the Sept. 5 season opener against Baltimore approaches.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo gathered Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, and Nazeeh Johnson during an offseason meeting to emphasize the need for them to step up following the March trade of L’Jarius Sneed.
To this point, at least, Spagnuolo and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt claim no one has separated himself in the competition for the CB2 role next to Trent McDuffie.
Williams had good and bad moments while starting last week’s game at Jacksonville. Watson (shoulder) and Johnson (knee), meanwhile, have been slowed by injuries and have had limited practice time.
It’s not the only dilemma KC faces in its secondary. The team has used second-year player Chamarri Conner as a primary slot corner; however, that’s an entirely new duty for him. He rotated between cornerback and safety last season.
If Conner can’t go there, would it be best to move McDuffie back inside? He was an All-Pro in that position last season, so the Chiefs at least could feel comfortable that he’d do well in the role.
That would leave another position open outside, though, among a group where standouts haven’t emerged.
This much is clear: Spagnuolo still has many decisions to make as he tries to put the Chiefs’ best players on the field in the most optimal positions.
Question: Will the Chiefs lock up one of their cornerstones?
Verdict: Not yet ... but could happen soon.
Center Creed Humprey seemed like the most logical extension candidate for the Chiefs, given his previous production, and general manager Brett Veach confirmed that Humphrey was a top priority in an interview with The Star on July 31.
Veach said then that the Chiefs had opened talks with Humphrey and kicker Harrison Butker and had “touched base” with guard Trey Smith and linebacker Nick Bolton.
It’s worth noting that the other player Veach mentioned in the same sentence as Humphrey then — Butker — signed an extension with the Chiefs shortly after.
Humphrey has made two All-Pro teams and two Pro Bowls in his three seasons with the Chiefs. And though he’s faced some recent snapping issues, Veach said at February’s NFL Combine that Humphrey could be part of the Chiefs’ long-term plans at either center or guard.
Veach said the Chiefs would love to have back Smith and Bolton, too.
“It’s a goal to talk to all three, and we’d love nothing more than to get all three done,” the GM said in July. “There’ll be an effort from us to get all three done. But from a player’s perspective, it has to make sense to them.
“They’ve earned that. They won’t be lacking a market. They’ll get good money.”
Question: Will the deep ball really make its return?
Verdict: Signs point to yes.
Mahomes had more than his share of deep and viral throws to rookie receiver Xavier Worthy in training camp.
So yes, it seems the Chiefs are set to follow through on their offseason pledge to open up the deep passing game once again.
That might be challenging early. Hollywood Brown’s injury doesn’t help things, as he’s been excellent at tracking deep passes while providing an intermediate threat that defenses have to respect.
Brown’s absence could also put more pressure on Worthy to play well early. That could be a tough ask, especially with Nagy saying he’s trying to preach patience with Worthy while emphasizing that everything might not be easy right away (remember, Worthy also missed all of OTAs and mandatory minicamp with a hamstring injury).
The Chiefs — to put it frankly — were awful with deep passes a year ago. It won’t take much to be better, and Worthy showing elite route-taking and ball-tracking so far means Mahomes would be wise to toss it up every once in a while, just to give him a chance.
Brown missing some time will hurt, though. The Chiefs should be better downfield regardless, but the first few games might not be exactly what they envisioned when putting together the roster this offseason.
