STREET. JOSEPH, Missouri — The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up 18 days of training camp with the full team on the Missouri Western campus on Thursday. Here are six things we learned about the roster over the past three weeks:1. Patrick Mahomes Looking Like Himself Thanks to grueling offseason knee rehab, and with the help of motivational text messages from NFL tight end Zach Ertz, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fully cleared to participate at the start of training camp. Since then, it has been difficult to say that it has only been eight months after surgery. Mahomes made throws, scrambled when necessary and even made some of his patented off-balance and crooked throws in drills, making it a near-certainty that he will be the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in the season opener against the Denver Broncos. Will he be a little physically limited? Sure. Those coming off an ACL/LCL tear typically require more than a year to fully recover, and Mahomes acknowledged that this setback could be something he adjusts to for the rest of his career. The most important thing so far, though, is that Mahomes still looks like himself. Especially in recent weeks, the knee and the brace he wears don’t seem to come to mind during more competitive moments, suggesting he’s overcome a major mental hurdle there. My biggest takeaway from Chiefs training camp, Jesse Newell2. Kenneth Walker III will have a different role. The Chiefs loved what they got in free agent Kenneth Walker III, as a complete running back and leader off the field. This led to one of the most surprising parts of training camp: They’re giving Walker the ball all the time. This was not the case for most of his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. Walker shared the backfield with Zach Charbonnet, which mostly meant early work. That won’t be the case with the Chiefs. Coach Andy Reid opened his screen game playbook this summer, and Walker has been the primary target, showing strong receiving skills and even showing off occasional one-handed sacks. So in the red zone? Walker is back to being the main player, meaning he should easily eclipse last year’s total of five touchdowns if he stays healthy this season. Although the Chiefs have often rotated runners per drive in past seasons, that doesn’t appear to be the plan in 2026. Walker should be the workhorse, and he’s primed for a big year statistically if his body holds up. The addition of running back Kenneth Walker III promises to revitalize the Chiefs’ running game. (Denny Medley / Imag Images)3. This offense will look different. You shouldn’t sign Walker if you don’t plan to run the ball more, and the Chiefs have shown a concerted effort in training camp to be more of the downhill team that general manager Brett Veach envisioned at the NFL combine. Reid has certainly played more plays under center this camp than in any of the last few seasons. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo mentioned last week that his defense was seeing a lot more running plays from the offense this summer, and linebacker Nick Bolton reiterated that sentiment Thursday. “They did a great job,” Bolton said of the offense in practice, “of mixing up the run, the pass and the play actions.” Reid commented late last year that the team’s lack of an explosive running game hampered its play-action ability. In short, opposing linebackers were not advancing on run fakes, making it difficult to create passing lanes at the second level of the defense. However, defenses will have to respect Walker. That was evident on Walker’s only play in the preseason opener, when Los Angeles Rams linebacker Daniel Rickert bit hard on a fake that opened up the middle of the field. Reid has faced some questions this offseason, about his offense and his ability to adapt in the modern NFL. Early indications, however, are that the Chiefs spent the offseason examining their flaws and making notable schematic changes as they look to rebound from a 6-11.4 season. The Chiefs have a major depth concern in one area. While most of the offseason talk has focused on the Chiefs’ perceived lack of depth at wide receiver, a different position group appears to be the biggest red flag right now: the interior offensive line. The Chiefs have signaled this with their actions when some guys have been excluded from practices due to injuries. Veteran Jaylon Moore and undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson have been competing for the starting right tackle job, but it’s been telling that both have been moved to right guard in recent exercises, an indication that coaches view them as more capable inside backups than roster veterans like Mike Caliendo and Hunter Nourzad. Right guard Trey Smith has missed more than a week of practice with a hip injury, but the good news for the Chiefs is that it is not considered serious and he is expected to return. soon. However, the fact that an injury to any guard or tackle can put the team into immediate fight mode is not ideal. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs look to upgrade this position in the coming weeks.5. One group has stood out: Reid, a man who typically keeps his praise to himself unless someone truly deserves it, mentioned Thursday that one of his biggest takeaways from training camp was the rookies’ growth. “I think we made progress. I think it’s the young people you’re really looking at,” Reid said. “We have several of them, and the way they progressed (and continue to progress) will be a big part of this team’s performance.” The Chiefs rookie stock has certainly risen in recent days. No. 6 pick Mansoor Delane is the wild card after missing many reps on the field due to a shoulder injury. Spagnuolo views those experiences as extremely valuable, so it’s a little concerning that Delane has only been fully active with the team for the past week. Still, Delane has returned with confidence. He’s played with physicality and swagger, to the point that the Chiefs might have to ask him to back off his technique a bit so his “craftiness” doesn’t result in flags early this season. Outside of Delane, there should be plenty of reason for rookie optimism. Some highlights: • First-round defensive tackle Peter Woods flashed early with his speed and quick hands, even if an ankle injury has limited some explosions over the past week; • Fifth-round receiver Cyrus Allen has stood out early in camp and appears to be gaining Mahomes’ trust; • Fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson impressed during the preseason opener, and his ability to take on the tough coaching of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and running backs coach DeMarco Murray has only helped accelerate his development; • Benson – after being signed as a rookie minicamp tryout player, is pushing to be a starter at right tackle and, at worst, will be valuable offensive line depth on a team that needs it. The Chiefs appeared to need an infusion of youth and speed after last year’s disappointing season, and the early returns are a positive for some of the rookies looking to step into important roles. One position looks completely different in 2026. The Chiefs looked to model some of the NFL’s other top defenses this offseason while compiling a rotation of bodies they could use on the defensive line. Veach, at this point, has to be happy with what that renovation looks like. All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones returns as an anchor, but should get a lot more help this season. Veteran free agent Khyiris Tonga has had competitive one-on-one battles with four-time Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey in practice, a rarity in camp that should indicate the floor has risen with his addition. Meanwhile, edge rusher George Karlaftis is healthy again after playing with a broken hand last season. Woods has provided power on the interior in practice, and second-round rookie R Mason Thomas fired around the edge for a pair of pressures in the preseason opener that looked a different speed than pass rushers of the past. Chiefs 2025 second-round defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott should return at some point from an ACL injury, and 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah has shined with his best camp as a pro. Ashton Gillotte (foot) is injured and his schedule is uncertain at this time, but he joins veteran Emmanuel Ogbah in a group that has potential and depth. The best version of this defense? It would be a unit led by their defensive front and aided by Spagnuolo’s creative bombing.
