By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Chiefs were back at it today after a Monday off day, gearing up for the Arizona Cardinals during practice at Missouri Western State University.
The Chiefs offense is working to get the explosive, downfield play back this season. That’s something offensive coordinator Matt Nagy felt they hit their stride with during today’s practice
“I really felt like today was one of our, as a group and in particular with Pat, one of our better days with those types of throws, some downfield stuff,” Nagy tells reporters after practice. “Where the timing element, it wasn’t one of those deals where you’re scrambling throwing the ball away and catching a ball off timing, these were all on timing throws and then guys were making great catches, so I was really pleased with that.”
The Chiefs offense remains without Hollywood Brown who did not practice again today with an ankle injury.
The Chiefs safety group lost a piece this offseason as veteran safety Justin Reid was not resigned and moved on to the New Orleans Saints.
Kansas City brought back safety Mike Edwards, who spent last year with Buffalo and Tampa Bay after being with Kansas City in 2023, to add that veteran presence to a young room.
Edwards says the last time he was here; it was Reid that was that leader, but now he feels like it’s his responsibility to take on that role
“Whatever it may be, trying to take on a leadership role,” Edwards says. “You know I feel like everybody can be a leader in that room, but being an older guy, being a vet, trying to take on that role so I can help out the younger guys as much as possible.”
Edwards says he’s been impressed with the young safeties in the room like Jaden Hicks and Glendon Miller.
He also adds there was no question he wanted to come back to Kansas City, because of how well the organization treated him
Adding to that young core, the Chiefs drafted a rookie class that’s very likeable and are becoming fan favorites during Chiefs Training Camp.
Josh Simmons and Jalen Royals are greeted with cheers each morning coming down the hill. But another working hard, and being recognized, is fifth round pick linebacker Jeffrey Bassa
Bassa sees himself as a swiss army knife of sorts, and says defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has had him working out all across the defense
“Really learning both positions, the Mike and the Will, really trying to cross train so when it comes to a situation where he can get me in at either position, I feel like we’ve been doing a great job at that as well,” Bassa says. “Kind of knowing the fact that I’m learning two positions and now that I’m going to be able to later on in my career learn the back end and learn the full front, I feel like it’s going to be a good job and it’s going to help me in the long end.”
Bassa also credits leaning on veteran linebackers Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton in the learning process as guys that have helped ease him into the NFL.
The Chiefs held another over two-hour practice, a standard at this point in camp. Kansas City will practice again tomorrow at 9:15.
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