Kansas City Chiefs rookies and quarterbacks just rolled into Missouri Western State University on Friday, kicking off the initial part of their training camp. This phased-in start for first-year players had been a rock-solid staple for head coach Andy Reid for over a decade, but he skipped it last season. Now, it’s back, and Reid made it crystal clear he much prefers this approach, confirming that the sheer youth of the roster *demanded* its return.
Why Rookie Camp Is Back in a Big Way
Look, when nearly a third of your entire 90-man roster is made up of rookies, you gotta adjust. That’s exactly the situation in Kansas City, and it’s why Reid scrapped last year’s veterans-and-rookies-together idea. He straight up told reporters, “That’s the primary thing, the rookies. I just thought it was necessary. I didn’t like not doing it last year after I got done with it.” You can tell he means it, too. With more numbers this year, getting those extra reps in over the next few days is going to pay off huge. It’s a good thing for the quarterbacks, and it’s a good thing for those rookies coming in, getting them ready before the full squad descends.
Getting These Young Guns Up To Speed
Reid is all about getting these guys an extra refresher on everything they learned in the offseason, and this early camp does exactly that. Think about it: they’re back in the dorms, surrounded by cinderblocks, just like freshmen in college. “It’s a little different,” Reid explained, “It’s great to be back with the cinderblocks surrounding you. It puts them right back as freshmen in college.” He knows the workload’s gonna be tough, but these kids will push through it. These three days are clutch for slowing things down, really diving back into the offense, defense, and special teams. It’s a nice little ramp up, getting them those crucial reps before the vets arrive and they get another review of the same plays. It’s beneficial, as long as they stay focused.
Mahomes Cleared, Camp Gets a Boost
And let’s not forget the biggest story to kick off the NFL season: the health of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After suffering multiple torn knee ligaments back in December, everyone’s been holding their breath. Well, exhale, Chiefs fans! Reid confirmed Friday that Mahomes has been cleared to practice. With quarterbacks reporting early alongside the rookies, it’s an absolute bonus. That extra time on the field? Priceless. Reid puts it best, saying, “The nice thing about having this rookie camp is you can kind of gradually build it up.” This gradual build-up for Mahomes and the focused attention on all the new faces sets the stage for what should be a wild training camp once the entire squad hits the field later this week.
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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