How does Andy Reid handle doubts about him, Chiefs offense? ‘I’m the biggest evaluator and critic of it’ (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
Jesse Newell
@jessenewell.bsky.social
Chiefs beat writer for The Athletic. jnewell@theathletic.com
Patrick Mahomes said Zach Ertz was a big motivator during his knee rehab. So how did that unlikely bond start? I spoke to Ertz about the texts he sent Mahomes, the toughest days, what he's learned about the Chiefs QB — and his own comeback story for 2026 (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/751...
The postgame words only reinforced the biggest story of the Chiefs' preseason opener (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/751...
Why Chiefs rookies were the biggest story of the preseason opener vs. the Rams (Gift Article)
Cyrus Allen, R Mason Thomas and Emmett Johnson were among the draft picks who stood out Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.
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Be sure to check out our @TheAthleticNFL live NFL blog. Here's a quick post on an early highlight for the Chiefs today: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
NFL preseason scores, live updates: Latest highlights, analysis and reaction from Saturday's games (Gift Article)
One positive sign for the Chiefs in the defensive red zone: Second-round pick pass rusher Mason Thomas flew around the edge for a QB pressure to help force a third-down incompletion from the Rams. The...
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A deeper dive on new Chiefs RB Ken Walker III, the reasons he's impressed so far and why he has Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes dreaming big (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
More on Chiefs' Travis Kelce, the best night of his life and how he feels physically ahead of his 14th season (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...
Chiefs’ Rashee Rice speaks on ‘reality check’ summer that included jail time (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
Chiefs’ Rashee Rice speaks on ‘reality check’ summer that included jail time (Gift Article)
"It was tough," Rice said of the 30 days he spent in jail while rehabbing from knee surgery. "Mentally tough."
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More on Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy returning to practice today (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy returns to training camp (Gift Article)
Bieniemy first left the team on July 27, the day after his wife, Mia, was shot in the family's Ashburn, Va., home.
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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes spoke for the first time since training camp began. Here's his update on how his left knee feels (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes says he sometimes forgets he’s playing on surgically repaired knee (Gift Article)
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Mahomes remains unlikely to play in the preseason.
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Some early risers and fallers from the first week of Chiefs camp (please read the blurbs as to why!). Free link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...
Chiefs training camp risers and fallers: Kahlil Benson’s surprise push, Mansoor Delane’s setback and more (Gift Article)
A few Chiefs rookies have moved up — and down — the depth chart since full-squad training camp began last week.
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More on the Chiefs' standout from the first day in pads — and why it matters
More on how rookie Peter Woods flashed at the Chiefs' first padded practice (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
How Chiefs' Cyrus Allen hurt himself on special teams — and an explanation of why KC plays it rookies there to start training camp (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
How Chiefs WR Cyrus Allen got hurt on special teams — and why K.C. plays rookies there (Gift Article)
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said playing all the team's rookies on special teams is a standard practice. Here's why.
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Chiefs camp standout continues to shine, plus other updates from Friday (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Is new Chiefs WR following a Tyquan Thornton-like path to the 53? More on that and Chiefs camp highlights from Thursday (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
New Chiefs wideout is following Tyquan Thornton-like path. Will he make the roster? (Gift Article)
Could a 2025 undrafted free agent be the Chiefs' best option for WR6? Coaches are giving him a long look in training camp.
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Update on recent court filings regarding Eric Bieniemy's son from Adam Kilgore here (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Eric Bieniemy’s son to undergo competency evaluation, judge decides (Gift Article)
Elijah Bieniemy, who is charged with shooting his mother, “does not appear able to assist in his own defense," his attorney said.
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Two quick things we learned about Patrick Mahomes and his knee from early Chiefs practices
Story on what Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes said today about Mahomes getting fully cleared for practices starting this week (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...
Were Chiefs cursed in 2025? How their luck could change in '26 — and where it might not (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
Were the Chiefs cursed in 2025? How their luck could change — and where it might not (Gift Article)
The Chiefs' special teams can expect to be about a point per game better in 2026 by doing nothing differently. Here's why.
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Here's my pick for Chiefs 2026 breakout player (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
One breakout player to watch for every NFL team in 2026 (Gift Article)
The Athletic's NFL staff wonders who's next for each NFL team in 2026.
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Based on a recent @tafootballshow.bsky.social discussion ... who could (or should) fill Travis Kelce's old role with the Chiefs? Free link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...
Chiefs need to fill Travis Kelce’s old role. There isn’t an obvious candidate (Gift Article)
Patrick Mahomes had a hot spot to throw to in the 2022 season, but finding someone in that area isn't as easy as it used to be.
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Chiefs mailbag! • Most improved players for 2026 • Josh Simmons thought exercise • Is RT battle real? Free link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...
Chiefs mailbag: The 2 most improved players in 2026 will be … (Gift Article)
How has backup QB Justin Fields looked? And should Chiefs fans be worried about a slimmer Josh Simmons? That and more in our latest Q&A.
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Chiefs mandatory minicamp: 3 things we learned — and storylines to follow (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
Chiefs mandatory minicamp: 3 things we learned — and storylines to follow (Gift Article)
Here are the big-picture takeaways for the Chiefs after watching practices the last several weeks.
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Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy has been a standout in early practices. Here's how he's worked to improve (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
Chiefs’ recent practice MVP has been Xavier Worthy. Here’s where he’s improved (Gift Article)
Here's why Worthy says his disappointing 2025 season was "not a true indication of what I am."
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Some quick analysis for what the Wanya Morris trade means for the Chiefs (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
Chiefs trading offensive tackle Wanya Morris to Falcons: Sources (Gift Article)
The Chiefs selected Morris as a third-round pick in 2023.
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Chiefs coach Andy Reid, when asked about UDFA RT Kahlil Benson, said Benson was athletic while displaying good feet with strong hands. "Look forward to seeing him in pads," Reid said. " ... He's been able to handle everything, and we'll see where it goes."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said rookie CB Mansoor Delane was held out of this week's practices with a shoulder injury. Expects him back for training camp. From my practice viewing, it appeared to be Delane's right shoulder.
Why expectations are high for Chiefs' Ashton Gillotte in his second season (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
Chiefs’ Ashton Gillotte ‘didn’t like how I looked’ last year. Here’s the goal for ’26 (Gift Article)
Here's why teammate George Karlaftis believes second-year pro Ashton Gillotte is ready for a bigger role with the Chiefs' defense.
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