Dave Toub just laid it out flat: “The competition is real. There’s nothing given.” That’s the word coming straight out of Kansas City, and it means the Chiefs’ return game is still an open battle with roster cuts looming less than a week away. With their preseason finale against our Seattle Seahawks just around the corner, special teams coordinator Toub is not holding back on what he expects from his guys.
Aggression, Trust, and the Hunt for “The Wall”
It sounds like Toub is demanding more from his returners, especially when it comes to vision and aggression. He pointed out running back Brashard Smith, who’s hot on current starter Nikko Remigio’s heels, saying Smith “continues to get better.” But Toub also hammered home the need to hit “the wall” and trust their speed instead of always looking for up-the-field plays. “We have to be more aggressive to get to that point; we have to trust our speed back there instead of always looking for that up-the-field play,” Toub said. He even mentioned a play where Remigio had “no choice” but hit it up the middle for a “nice” 15-yard return, even with a penalty. It shows they can make the play, but the consistency and aggression Toub wants are still works in progress for everyone.
Remigio’s Reliability vs. The Need for Speed
Despite the competition, Toub didn’t shy away from naming Remigio as “the most solid guy” and “dependable” at the fifth or sixth receiver spot right now. That’s a huge vote of confidence for his current starter! But there’s a big “but” that could leave Chiefs fans a little nervous. Toub admitted the one thing they “can’t change is his top-end speed.” Yikes. He even wished Remigio “had Worthy’s speed on the top end,” referring to wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who along with Tyquan Thornton can also handle return duties. Remigio’s intangibles might be different and valuable, but in today’s NFL, that top-end burner speed is clutch, especially in the return game. It’s clear that while Remigio is solid, his ceiling might be capped by that speed factor, giving guys like Smith a real opening.
This Friday, the Chiefs line up against our Seattle Seahawks for their final preseason game, and you better believe Toub will be watching every single return with a microscope. The battle for that return man spot is more intense than ever, and these players are literally fighting for their jobs. Let’s see if anyone steps up and truly owns the role before the cuts drop!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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