Garrett Nussmeier, the Chiefs’ seventh-round pick, is tearing it up at training camp, showing enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster come September. After eight practices in St. Joseph, it’s clear this rookie is already making waves, especially as the team looks to secure their backup quarterback future behind Patrick Mahomes.
The QB Room’s New Vibe and a Locked-In Backfield
The quarterback room in Kansas City is getting interesting. Justin Fields is there on a one-year deal as the backup, but Nussmeier’s camp performance is putting pressure on. If the Chiefs are serious about him being Mahomes’ immediate understudy for next season and beyond, he needs to be on the active roster, plain and simple. Imagine the film he could rack up against third-team defenses in preseason; it could be notable.
Then there’s the running back crew. This group feels totally set in stone for the season. Kenneth Walker is the lead back, no surprise there. Brashard Smith is shaping up to be that versatile, change-of-pace weapon everyone loves, while Emari Demercado will own the pass-down duties. And you gotta love Emmett Johnson, the hungry rookie just waiting to make a splash when his number gets called. It’s a solid, diverse backfield ready to roll.
Wide Receiver Chaos: Who’s Earning Those Throws From Mahomes?
Now, wide receiver? That’s where things get wild. With Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and Cyrus Allen looking good, the real battle for active roster spots kicks in at No. 5. There’s some real uncertainty at the top of the depth chart, which means the team probably needs to keep more than five receivers. That’s a huge shift.
Jalen Royals and Andrew Armstrong are the ones to watch, especially Armstrong, who is making a strong case over Nikko Remigio. The staff sees more upside in Royals and Armstrong right now. Remigio maximized his role, sure, but Brashard Smith should take over return duties. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub even called out Armstrong on Monday, stoked about him “as a cover guy.” Armstrong has also stepped up big time in practice, filling in for injured starters and getting tons of throws from Mahomes. He is looking like way more than just a big-bodied, jumpball guy who can fool Chiefs Kingdom in camp; he’s legit.
Tight End Trio Holds Strong, But What About Briningstool?
Over at tight end, Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley have basically locked up those top spots. They’ve handled their business with the first-team offense, no question. This means second-year tight end Jake Briningstool is currently on the outside looking in, even with an “urge to find room” for him. You just know that a guy like Briningstool, or another practice-squad talent, could get the call midseason if injuries hit. Remember, this dude racked up 1,380 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in college at Clemson. If he goes off in preseason, he could definitely force the Chiefs to make space.
The preseason games are gonna be absolutely critical for these guys on the bubble. We’re talking about players like Nussmeier, Armstrong, and Briningstool, who could completely change the dynamic of this Chiefs roster. You know Head Coach Andy Reid and the staff are watching every rep. These early trends are setting the stage for what should be a wild regular season, and we’re ready for it.
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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