Eight observations from Day 6 of Chiefs OTAs: What we’re learning about KC offense
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Patrick Mahomes continued knee rehab in individual drills and 7-on-7 but not 11-on-11.
- Backup Justin Fields launched a 50–55 yard deep pass to Xavier Worthy.
- Xavier Worthy practiced in a non‑contact jersey and caught multiple scrimmage passes.
For the second time in a week, the Kansas City Chiefs opened practice to the media, providing another look at the 2026 version of the team.
Once again, I had my notepad out for the full hour-and-40-minute session.
Here’s what I saw:
Patrick Mahomes continued with same practice plan
Just like during last Thursday’s open look, the quarterback continued his knee rehab by taking part in individual drills and 7-on-7, but not 11-on-11. Based on Mahomes’ comments last week, the earliest he will be ready for those periods will be training camp.
In his stead, backup Justin Fields ran the first-team offense.
Early in 7-on-7, Fields seemed a bit overcautious, and it’s clear he’s still working on timing with his receivers. Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the latter when he spoke last week.
Fields did settle in by the time the final 11-on-11 period came around, highlighted by what I thought was the play of the day, when he launched a ball 50-55 air yards to wide receiver Xavier Worthy down the middle of the field. It was the second of two would-be touchdowns for Worthy during the period.
Xavier Worthy is everywhere — and he’s catching everything
Speaking of Worthy, he’s been fun to watch during these open OTA looks, as he consistently gains separation with vacuum-like hands. As he worked with Mahomes early in 7-on-7, Worthy did drop a pass with rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane in close pursuit.
On his next target in a similar look, Worthy caught a touchdown right inside the front-left pylon.
“Xavier Worthy, I knew he was fast, but when you work with him on the field in drills, I try to throw it as quick as I can when he’s running,” new receivers coach Chad O’Shea said. “He’s (got) a tremendous amount of speed, obviously. That’s the skillset he brings with some other things.” It’s worth noting that Worthy is currently practicing in a non-contact jersey, which might be considered somewhat redundant for a non-contact camp. But the Chiefs want defenders to be extra careful after he had an offseason procedure.
But even taking into account the additional space, Worthy caught at least nine passes during team scrimmage periods on Wednesday.
“Xavier’s doing a heck of a job,” offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said. “He’s accepted the challenge. He’s working. He’s doing all the little things the right away, and he’s continuing to grow. He’ll make a mistake here and there, but I love the energy that he brings. I love his initial quickness. I just like the kid’s approach and his personality.”
The defense was flying around early
Steve Spagnuolo had to be happy with the defense’s performance early on during 7-on-7, as his unit registered six pass breakups in a drill that typically favors the offense.
Delane and safety Jaden Hicks both broke up Mahomes passes in the end zone. Against Fields, Hicks, cornerback Kaiir Elam, linebacker Jack Cochrane and linebacker Jeff Bassa all broke up passes. Both of Hicks’ breakups were near-interceptions.
In the final 11-on-11 period, rookie defensive end R Mason Thomas showcased his explosive first step as he registered what would have been a sack of Fields, by my view.
Even in a passing camp, Kenneth Walker already looks like an upgrade
The Chiefs’ OTA regimen doesn’t include 9-on-7, so training camp is where we’ll get a true feel for Kenneth Walker, but there are moments in these practices in which it’s clear KC upgraded at the position.
Walker has elite straight-line speed and burst, and his change-of-direction is simply something the Chiefs did not have last season. “A savvy veteran who does things the right way,” new running backs coach DeMarco Murray said of Walker. “Works extremely hard. He’s led the group the right way vocally and by example, and so we’re happy to have him.”
Chiefs ran 10-10-10-style period that looked like Raiders prep
During training camp, the Chiefs will occasionally hold “10-10-10” practices, where the team cycles through 10 offensive plays, 10 defensive plays and 10 minutes of special teams. The scrimmage sees the first-team offense against the second-team defense and vice versa.
By my view, Kansas City appeared to be working on looks from the Las Vegas Raiders during this practice, the third of the week. Reid has historically built in AFC West days even this early in the offseason to get a leg up on the season’s most important six regular-season games.
Harrison Butker is dialed in
After a year with some early struggles, Harrison Butker is off to a good start in 2026. Butker made a couple of long kicks on Wednesday, including an impressive stretch to end the workout. “He hit a long one in our regular period, and then we did three two-minute (kicks),” special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. “We did three in a row, and every one of them was over 60. That was pretty impressive. After he hit two, I said, ‘Well, he’ll probably miss this one.’ But he made that one, too.”
Target practice: Mahomes in 7-on-7, Fields in 11-on-11
Mahomes in 7-on-7: wide receiver Xavier Worthy (4), wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (3), tight end Tre Watson.
Fields’ 11-on-11 period to end practice: wide receiver Xavier Worthy (3), running back Kenneth Walker (2), wide receiver Jalen Royals, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, tight end Tre Watson.
Roll call
For the second straight open voluntary look, I didn’t see defensive tackle Chris Jones or tight end Travis Kelce.
Tight ends Jake Briningstool and John Michael Gyllenborg and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott were watching without helmets. Hicks and Worthy once again wore non-contact jerseys. After an absence last open look, cornerback Kristian Fulton was present and working.
