Arrowhead Pride
Jake Briningstool and Jared Casey are trying to make their mark.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a pair of new tight ends working to provide a strong impression at rookie minicamp: Jake Briningstool, who played at Clemson, and Jared Casey, who many fans will remember from his time playing just down the road in Lawrence for the Kansas Jayhawks.
While both players are competing for the same snaps and position on the roster, the Chiefs formally signed Brinningstool to a free-agent contract, while Casey is competing in a minicamp tryout.
Aside from actually being signed to the team, another reason to think Briningstool may have the inside track to make the team is that he received a call from head coach Andy Reid personally recruiting him to Kansas City.
“Talking to coach Reid on the phone,” explained Briningstool, “I think he laid out a great plan for me, kind of just the situation, being able to come in here and learn from a great tight end room, and just be able to take full advantage of that opportunity.”
Briningstool added that Kansas City’s offense fits his skill set well. He also noted that the Chiefs were the only team where the head coach reached out to him personally.
“That was pretty unique to here, which kind of really stood out to me, just showing how much they valued me, how much they cared,” said Briningstool.
Having a chance to learn from a future Pro Football Hall of Famer in Travis Kelce doesn’t hurt either.
“It’s very appealing to somebody that plays tight end, and being able to come in here and learn from him.”
Aside from the Chiefs, Briningstool said three other teams were interested in signing him, but he chose Kansas City because of their championship culture.
“Just being able to come in here and compete with guys who have done it at the highest level and also been very successful,” he said. “A team that competes for championships.”
Briningstool said that he’s willing to do whatever the coaching staff asks of him to help this team win.
“I’m a very willing blocker,” said Briningstool. “I’m gonna be able to put my face in the fan, be able to make an impact on the game however I can, whatever they need me to do.”
The greatest adjustment so far has been huddling up between plays.
“I think it’s just different, because everything at Clemson we did through signals,” he said. “So it’s being able to kind of slow down, listen to what the quarterback is saying, be in that huddle, and then, as soon as you get to play call, it’s time to go execute and do my job.”
The Plainville, Kansas, native actually played four games in Arrowhead Stadium last season due to the Jayhawks' home stadium being under construction for renovations.
“Just being able to go out and wear a Chiefs jersey and Chiefs helmet is kind of just...
