Arrowheadlines: Chiefs third in preseason power rankings

The latest

NFL power rankings: Preseason starts with challengers eyeing Eagles | USA Today

3. Kansas City Chiefs (4): With G Trey Smith and DE George Karlaftis extended, the only piece of semi-pressing team business remaining is a new deal for All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie − and that may have to wait. Resolution on WR Rashee Rice’s post-legal status would also be nice, but even having him back for some portion of this season is a win over his injury-aborted 2024 campaign. K.C.’s biggest issue, the O-line notwithstanding, could be a quickly narrowing gap with their AFC West competitors

Kansas City Chiefs betting preview: 5 hot takes for 2025 NFL season include gaudy numbers for Patrick Mahomes | CBS Sports

The Chiefs will lose in the AFC Championship Game

I fully expect the Chiefs to win their 10th consecutive division title and end up with one of the top seeds in the AFC playoff bracket. But as I’ve said this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens are the team I believe will be representing the AFC in Super Bowl 60. This prop bet is currently priced at +550 on BetMGM, where you can get the latest BetMGM bonus code:

Five Observations from Wednesday’s Practice | Chiefs Training Camp 7/30 | The Mothership

1. The Chiefs competed in a lighter, “10-10-10” practice on Wednesday.

The Chiefs took the field for a lighter, “10-10-10” practice on Wednesday following the three-straight padded practices that took place between Sunday and Tuesday.

A “10-10-10” session, which is not padded, consists of what is essentially a circuit of 10 offensive plays, 10 defensive plays and 10 special teams plays. Each segment is of the 11-on-11 variety, but unlike a standard period, the idea is to demonstrate what success looks like for the three respective phases. During the “offensive period,” for example,” the first-team offense competes against the second or third-team defense in an effort to skew the results toward the offense.

The opposing unit is still encouraged to make plays, but if the concept plays out properly, each segment of the team will experience what success looks like within the given scheme.

The Chiefs completed nearly three full circuits of the “10-10-10” format on Wednesday with three offensive periods, three defensive periods and two special teams segments.

What should Year 1 expectations be for Cam Ward, other 2025 NFL Draft first-round picks? | The Athletic

32. Josh Simmons, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

Had he not injured his knee last year, Simmons might have been a top-10 pick. When he’s right, his combination of foot speed and functional length makes him a terror to rush against off the edge. Not only is Simmons good enough to start right away, but also he has All-Rookie potential if he’s 100 percent.

Around the NFL

Struggling Titans offense ‘very mid right now,’ says QB Cam Ward | ESPN

After two days of less-than-stellar play by the Tennessee Titans offense, rookie quarterback Cameron Ward had some choice words about their performance.

“I just think we’re very mid right now,” Ward said on Wednesday. “At the end of the day, it all starts with me.”

Ward was intercepted by cornerback Roger McCreary on Wednesday. The interception came via a tipped pass from linebacker Cody Barton. Ward was intercepted three times on Tuesday, giving him four over the past two practices. While not all of them were his fault, Ward said he has to play better.

Raiders LT Kolton Miller signs three-year extension | NBC Sports

The deal is three years and $66 million, with $42.5 million guaranteed, per multiple reports.

Miller did not attend the start of voluntary work this offseason while seeking an extension. He didn’t stay away, though, and showed up for Organized Team Activities and the mandatory minicamp while expressing a desire to be a “Raider for life.”

Miller, a first-round pick in 2018, was scheduled to earn $12.3 million in base salary in the final year of his contract.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs Roster: Mike Pennel embracing leadership role on defensive line

“When you leave here and you come back, you realize how special this place is,” Pennel told reporters after Monday’s practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. “You don’t know how many more of these you’ve got. That’s my energy boost. That’s my pre-workout: just being here and living my dream.”

With familiar veterans like Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton gone, Pennel understands what’s at stake.

“We lost some major pieces with Nnadi and with Turk,” he pointed out. “Those guys have been here a while. They helped us get to Super Bowls — [and] helped us win Super Bowls. Now it’s time for the younger guys to come up: the next generation.”

When his career is over, Pennel wants to be remembered as someone who helped young players grow.

“I always want to be a positive light on these guys,” he said. “When they speak on a veteran they’ve had, I want them to say [the vet provided] something positive that added to their game.”

For the Chiefs, the young players include rookie defensive linemen Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte, who have already caught Pennel’s eye.

“Omarr attacks it every day like a pro,” he observed. “He’s got great explosiveness [and] good hands. He’s a natural rusher. He and Ashton are absorbing it real well. So I’m excited.”