Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid returned to the podium following Thursday’s third training camp practice. During his remarks, Reid noted the upcoming transition to padded camp practices. He also discussed what he is seeing from both his rookies and veteran players early in camp. Reid also paid homage to a recently retired NFL stalwart.
Padded practices
The Chiefs will have their first padded practice of training camp on Sunday, following a scheduled off day on Saturday.
“It’s been great to get out here and get these days in,” said Reid. “We’ve had three really good days of work where we get ones against ones, twos against twos [and] threes against threes, so there’s some competition there and some good solid work. It’s a ramp-up period. We’ve got another day or two of this, and then we start right in with pads on Sunday.”
The Chiefs’ biggest question entering camp was who would be trusted to man the tackle positions. With starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor currently sidelined with a knee injury, rookie first-round selection Josh Simmons and veteran Jaylon Moore have consistently taken first-team tackle reps on the left and right sides respectively. Padded practices will give the coaches a better chance to assess the position.
“They’ve done some good things,” Reid remarked of Simmons and Moore. “They’re getting better. They get better and better every day, so it’s been good that way — young guys, working. Looking forward to getting on the pads. It’s hard to evaluate them doing this, but we’ll see how they do with the pads on.”
Young talent
Rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals could be called upon for a heavier-than-expected role with the looming suspension of Rashee Rice. Reid likes what he’s seen from the Utah State product.
“He looks like he’s very smart,” observed Reid, “because we’re in our third install here today — and we load them up with plays early — and he’s been able to retain a lot of the newer stuff that we introduced to him before and the new stuff we’ve introduced now. So that’s a good sign.
“Then, he’s made some catches. You’ve seen it out here. He’s made some catches. Does he have a long way to go? Yeah. He’s got to keep working and work through all of this and we’ll see how it goes when everything’s flying.”
Another player making a case is the former New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
“I like what I’ve seen,” Reid noted of the second-round selection from 2022. “He’s working hard at it. He’s made some big catches out here. He’s working his routes [and] playing physical in his transition game there. You’ve just got to keep coming. We’re still young in this thing, so we got to keep bringing it here.”
Reid also discussed undrafted rookie tight end Jake Briningstool, who he noted was a draft favorite of general manager Brett Veach.
“Brett gets the credit for that one,” Reid recalled. “He loved them and loved what he saw — and so far the kid has done a nice job. Again, let’s see how he does when things get going, but he’s working in there. It looks like the quarterbacks trust him. They’re throwing it to him, so it’s positive.”
Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt
Reid echoed offseason accolades about tight end Travis Kelce getting into outstanding physical shape entering his age-35 season.
“He’s looks like he’s 20,” Reid declared. “He’s doing a good job. He’s in great shape, and I’m not sure he didn’t come in first on the whole conditioning thing. He was right up front. You can see he’s been working out. You saw him yesterday in the long run where he had the burst.”
Reid also expects a strong season from veteran running back Kareem Hunt, who rejoined the Chiefs during the 2024 season.
“He kind of missed two offseasons there and he had this offseason,” the coach explained. “He worked hard. Now he’s coming into training camp. He’s in good shape, and I would expect good things. He’ll be in there rotating and doing his thing, and he’s just a good solid football player. I love having him.”
Tyrann Mathieu
Former Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement on Tuesday. Reid shared his thoughts on Mathieu, who played in Kansas City from 2019 through 2021 and helped deliver a championship in Super Bowl LIV.
“The legacy is great ball skills, great player, great guy,” Reid said of his former player. “Always been a team captain everywhere he’s been at — including here. He got a Super Bowl championship here, and he was a leader on defense… What a great kid. I loved to coach him.”
Injury report
- Returned to practice: N/A
- Out of practice (due to injury): N/A
- Left practice early (due to injury): N/A
- Non-football injury (NFI) list: DL BJ Thompson
- Physically unable to perform (PUP) list: CB Kristian Fulton (out with knee since 7/22), OL Jawaan Taylor (out with knee since 7/22), TE Tre Watson (out since 7/22)
Post of the day
Our John Dixon compiled all of Thursday’s posts here. Here is the post of the day:
So… uhhh, does he do anything bad?
Quote of the day
Leo Chenal on being “Mopey Leo” after the Super Bowl loss: “My wife’s like, ‘Alright, come on. You need to be a little more positive about things.’ It was like a week afterwards, [and] I’m like, ‘You know, whatever. Screw this.’ It makes you pissed off at yourself, too. Like, I don’t like feeling like this. I don’t like looking like this to my wife, my family. That’s another motivation.”
What’s next?
Thursday’s practice leads into another workout on Friday as part of the ramp-up period. That begins at 9:15 a.m. Arrowhead Time. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub will address the media following the practice as defensive backs sign autographs.
Here’s the complete 2025 training camp schedule.
