Football season is officially on the horizon as the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterbacks and rookies reported to training camp at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday.
That group – which includes just over 20 players – will take the field for three abbreviated practices before the veterans arrive on Friday. The first full, team practice will then take place on Sunday, kicking off the first of 19 practices in St. Joseph.
"We're looking forward to getting this thing started," said Head Coach Andy Reid. "[We have] a good group of guys coming in [for this rookie camp]. We'll be about one deep, so [we'll] have to work the rotation as we go with the camp, but it'll be good to get these young guys some reps, [and I'm] looking forward to that."
There's only so much that the current group of players can do before the veterans arrive later this week, but the idea behind these preliminary practices is all about setting a foundation for the rookies and select veterans in attendance before things get real in just a few days.
"I think it's great for the young guys. I think it's good for the older guys just to get tuned up, [and] they know what it takes to get themselves ready for the season," Reid said. "This is a way to knock a little rust off, but for the young guys, I think it's even more beneficial."
The practices that take place over the next few days will feature the entirety of the Chiefs' rookie class, from first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah to the numerous undrafted free agents on the roster. Essentially, it's the first opportunity for Kansas City's rookies to demonstrate that they retained the information taught to them during the offseason training program.
"I told those guys to make sure that they're ready for it," said quarterback Patrick Mahomes. "You have to be ready to work. If you can get through Andy Reid's training camp, then you're going to be able to get through an NFL season. They must have that mindset, and they got a taste of it during [offseason practices], but they're really going to see what it's like during training camp. They know that if they do it the right way, [we] have as good of a chance as anybody to win the Super Bowl."
"I think they'll feel that [intensity] a little bit more now," Reid added. "I think you're a little bit guarded just by the rules [during offseason practices]. It [provides] a good foundation, but this here tests you both mentally and physically…It's just different. There are a lot of eyes on them with all the fans out there, so it's different. There's a different intensity level, plus you're getting ready for the season and you're building that foundation for the season."
These next few practices also provide Mahomes with a chance to ease himself into his seventh training camp as a professional. Mahomes is coming off a season in which he became the first player to win both NFL and Super Bowl MVP honors since 1999, but the 27-year-old superstar isn't lacking in motivation.
"I think the theme this year is how can we keep building? Obviously, we won the Super Bowl last year and it was amazing, but we still have a lot of young guys. We want to continue to get better and better," Mahomes said. "You look around the AFC, everyone's gotten better. So, you want to continue to build and build and not be satisfied with what we did last year and see if we can take that next step."
It certainly helps when Reid is on the sideline, too, and while the Chiefs' offseason was short, it appears that Kansas City's future Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach has been ready to get back after it for a while now.
"Listen, I take my work with me," Reid said. "I'll spend a couple hours a day working on things, and I enjoy doing that. You know, some people read novels. I look at plays."
In terms of injury updates, Reid said that defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (knee) will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He also said that the front office and coaching staff will soon need to make a decision on tailback Isiah Pacheco, who is recovering from shoulder and hand injuries.
Additionally, Mahomes provided an update on the ankle injury that he suffered during last year's postseason run.
"[The ankle] feels great. I think even going into [Organized Team Activities], I was still a little timid about running, cutting, and doing stuff like that, but when I got closer to minicamp, I got that confidence back in my ankle," Mahomes said. "I'm sure I'm not going to be running a lot right now, but we'll be testing it, especially in these half-gassers. I'll make sure it's ready to go, and I think I'm in a good spot with it."
The Chiefs' quarterbacks and rookies will take the field for the first practice of training camp on Wednesday morning.
