ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Let’s all remember these facts on the opening day of the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp: The action on the practice fields will intensify throughout the next month and the players will be far less as happy as they were Sunday morning.
Coach Andy Reid, who is known for his grueling camps, was pleased with what he observed in a little more than an hour of on-field work of the Chiefs’ first full-team practice. Several players, including pass rusher Chris Jones, in his return to camp after being absent last year, smiled and waved to fans before the Chiefs’ first significant repetitions of their 2024 campaign. The conditions couldn’t have been better for the players, too — just 74 degrees under plenty of clouds and no threat of rain.
Thousands of fans enjoyed themselves, too, as the offense produced plenty of highlights.
With plenty of things to change over the next 18 practices, here are five takeaways from Sunday.
The deep ball appears to be back
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was correct when he said there would be “no easing” into camp for rookie receiver Xavier Worthy. The best way to summarize the day for the Chiefs’ first-round pick is this: Worthy had repetition after repetition after repetition with the first-team offense. He did well with the workload, too.
Worthy ran a variety of routes — short, intermediate and deep — throughout Sunday’s practice, catching the majority of the targets he received from Mahomes.
“He’s been working hard, and it looks like his (left) hamstring feels better,” Reid said of Worthy. “We’ve just got to keep him going and keep learning. We’ve just one install (of the offensive playbook) into it and they’ve got 12 of them. He’s got a lot more information coming at him — formations, shifts, motions. He did a nice job today.”
Mahomes to Xavier Worthy. #ChiefsCamp pic.twitter.com/CEWeB2jhmA
— Steven St.John (@SSJWHB) July 21, 2024
In the first seven-on-seven period, Mahomes connected with Worthy on an intermediate pass near the sideline, the rookie making the reception between safety Bryan Cook and cornerback Joshua Williams.
“Way to go get that s—!” tight end Travis Kelce shouted at Worthy.
The best highlight occurred a few minutes later, when Mahomes rolled to his left in the team period after executing a play-action fake. Throwing the ball across his body and off platform, Mahomes’ deep pass — in which the ball traversed more than 60 yards in the air — was perfect. Worthy, in a one-on-one matchup against Cook, tracked the ball and made a diving catch in the back of the end zone, the repetition producing a loud roar from the fans.
Mahomes celebrated the completion by running around the field with his arms in the air. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy pumped his right first. Kelce flexed his arms back to Worthy.
GET USED TO IT 🔥
Mahomes scrambles to find Xavier Worthy DEEP for the touchdown pic.twitter.com/qqEQrwSuyO
— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) July 21, 2024
Such a moment didn’t occur often last year. In 16 games last season, Mahomes attempted 60 passes in which the ball traveled 20 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage, according to TruMedia. But just 17 of those passes were completed, an indication of just how poor his long-distance connection was with his receivers.
Mahomes didn’t have any issues Sunday throwing deep passes to Worthy or newcomer Marquise Brown.
“He’s coming along well and learning the playbook well,” fellow receiver Mecole Hardman said of Worthy. “He’s adjusting well and he comes with that speed, man, so I’m pretty sure we’re going to have him on a lot of things going deep.”
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The battle for left tackle has begun
As the lone major position battle on the entire roster entering camp, Reid decided to have Wanya Morris, a second-year player, get the first repetition at left tackle in the team period over rookie Kingsley Suamataia, the Chiefs’ second-round pick.
Reid rotated Suamataia in at left tackle for the fourth repetition, the same repetition where Mahomes completed his deep pass to Worthy. Before the Chiefs have their first padded practice, it’s possible that Reid could have Morris and Suamataia split the first-team repetitions.
“We’re boys, on and off the field,” Suamataia said last week of Morris. “I’m just trying to gain that job. We’re both just working hard, the best that we can. Whoever comes out on the top, we’re still boys.
“I love being out here with all the guys, getting to know everybody and just growing that bond with everybody. I don’t really feel any pressure (to win the starting job). I’m just playing the game that I love.”
As a rookie, Morris was solid in four starts but showed he needed to improve as a pass protector. He should have an advantage early in camp in the competition because he’s experienced the mental and physical challenges Reid puts his players through in up-tempo practices.
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Jones wants a few days off
One way Reid is considered an old-school coach, entering his 26th year leading a team, is that he doesn’t give his oldest veterans any days of rest during training camp or the regular season. Jones, the Chiefs’ best defensive player, still asked Reid to make a rare exception for him following Sunday’s practice.
“Listen man, I just hope Coach Reid feels it in his heart to understand that (age) 30 hit different,” Jones said, smiling. “Give me a day or two off coming up. Maybe I need to have a one-on-one with (general manager Brett) Veach and talk to my guy (club owner) Clark (Hunt). We’re going to figure this thing out.”
A year ago, Jones stayed away from the team during camp, seeking to earn a lucrative extension. His decision ultimately cost him $3.931 million. He still played 16 games in the regular season — recording 10 1/2 sacks and 29 quarterback hits, tying his career high — and was still dominant in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run. The Chiefs rewarded Jones in March with a five-year, $158.75 million contract, including $60 million fully guaranteed.
The practice Sunday featured Jones swallowing up running back Isiah Pacheco at the line of scrimmage to end the first running repetition of the team period.
“I love being in this environment where we can all focus on football, get better, compete and challenge each other,” Jones said of camp. He then added a few jokes: “It feels good to be back in the dorm (room) on a twin bed (laughing). It’s a queen. I haven’t slept on a queen bed in decades, but it feels good.”
Chiefs Kingdom, we back 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hPD28pu5UE
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 21, 2024
Even with his request to Reid, Jones reiterated that he plans to have the best season of his nine-year career to help the Chiefs achieve an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
“I strive for (defensive player of the year award) every year,” Jones said. “It’s a commitment to myself that I make and also challenging myself to make my teammates better. No matter how much money I’m making, my morals never change with football: I play because I love the game.”
Toney has a busy camp ahead of him
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, receiver Kadarius Toney had an interesting practice. During the individual period, Toney split his time with his fellow receivers and the running backs. He was also one of the few players who had repetitions as the punt returner.
On offense, Toney ran a variety of routes for three quarterbacks — Mahomes, backup Carson Wentz and Chris Oladokun. Showcasing his elusiveness and quickness, Toney didn’t make any major mistakes.
#Chiefs Kadarius Toney in running back drills.. this one, a speed option drill with Patrick Mahomes.. pic.twitter.com/h94C43O4X7
— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) July 21, 2024
Last year, Toney was supposed to be the Chiefs’ No. 1 receiver. But he missed training camp and the preseason while recovering from surgery to repair the meniscus and cartilage in his knee.
Beyond needing to stay healthy, Toney understands he must rebuild his connection and chemistry with Mahomes while also showing he can be one of the top targets for Wentz in the preseason. Reid knows the biggest objective for Toney is demonstrating consistency in camp and the preseason to secure his roster spot.
“He did a good job when he was in there, and we’ll see,” Reid said of Toney. “Just like the other guys, he’s in there competing and we’ll see how he does.”
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Two other rookies with the starters
On a smaller note, each of the Chiefs’ two fourth-round picks (tight end Jared Wiley and safety Jaden Hicks) received a sizable amount of first-team repetitions. Wiley lined up in several different spots alongside the line of scrimmage, even though he wasn’t targeted a lot by Mahomes. As for Hicks, he was the third safety next to Cook and Chamarri Conner.
“If I can find a way to come in and contribute — whether it’s on special teams (or) anything they want me to do on offense — that would be my biggest goal, just to prove that I belong in that (tight end) room,” Wiley said last week.
Injury update
Safety Justin Reid missed practice because of a quad injury. The Chiefs have placed Reid on the non-football injury list.
“Minor setbacks breed major comebacks!” Reid wrote on his X account. “I will get myself healthy soon, can’t wait to get back out on the field.”
(Photo: Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
