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Chiefs headlines for Thursday, July 17
Previewing the top storylines for 2025 NFL training camps | ESPN
Chiefs left tackle
Poor left tackle play seemed like it was going to sink the Chiefs’ offensive ship for months of the 2024 season, but nevertheless, that stubborn and incremental offense made it all the way to Super Bowl LIX before the bill finally came due.
With 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia kicked into the left guard spot vacated by Joe Thuney, the Chiefs redoubled their investment at the key spot. They grabbed Jaylon Moore in free agency and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons in April’s draft.
Both options come with risk — Moore was only ever a spot starter with the 49ers, and Simmons is coming off a patella injury and still recovering from surgery. Simmons is expected to be full-go at training camp, which opens the job up to a true battle.
Chiefs fans will be familiar with the uncertainty, as the left tackle job was up for grabs last season, too. The hope is that Simmons proves healthy and capable, such that Moore can serve as a swing tackle. I imagine Simmons will take the first snaps at left tackle accordingly — but he needs to be (and stay) healthy to actually win that job.
NFL training camps: As teams report, 50 things to know for 2025 season | USA Today
5. The number of teams that hit the road for training camp, which used to be the norm in the days when team bonding and conditioning were – often of necessity – more highly prioritized by coaches. The Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers are the only clubs that will actually do some version of football camping in 2025.
Why Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs’ offense must rediscover their old explosive ways | The Athletic
The Chiefs were dead last in 2024 in explosive play rate but fifth in success rate. Their success rate was largely because of an efficient run game and Mahomes’ ability to convert on third-and-long. The Chiefs ranked third in third-and-long (7+ yards) conversion rate (32.6 percent), which is even more impressive considering their lack of talent at receiver and signs of regression from Kelce. The Chiefs simply were overmatched against good defenses. In the divisional round, the Texans’ pass rush dominated the Chiefs’ line, but defense and special teams bailed out Kansas City.
The Chiefs had one of their best offensive performances of the season against the Bills in the AFC Championship Game. Buffalo’s defense is more of a function of sound team play and scheme. When the talent level is closer to even, the Chiefs’ offense can produce at a high level.
Kansas City’s offense was completely mismatched talent-wise in the Super Bowl. The Eagles didn’t do anything special schematically. They simply played quarters all game, crowded Kelce, jumped short routes, and...
