The Chiefs' complementary pass rush has been largely absent for years. On MNF, it looked reborn with R Mason Thomas, FAU, Peter Woods, and others notching 1x1 wins and KC getting pressure rushing 4. Wildly important development. Come read about it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-chiefs...

The Chiefs’ complementary pass aced its first test Monday Night

R Mason Thomas, FAU (!!!), Woods, and more gave Spags a new fastball against Denver.

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Week 1 won't determine the Chiefs' 2026 fate. However, it WILL provide a lot of info as to whether Andy Reid and company are trying to address things that plagued them in recent years. I wrote about a fanbase on edge and a sliding doors game for KC. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/is-week-1-...

Is Week 1 a sliding doors game for the Chiefs?

There are a few things I’ll be watching to see what path Andy Reid and company are choosing.

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The Patrick Mahomes 2025 film review summary is up. Every snap from 11 games charted, contextualized, and compared to prior seasons' reviews. This year, there's a larger takeaway IMO; 2025 is a warning to the Chiefs and Andy Reid. You should read it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/patrick-ma...

Patrick Mahomes 2025 film review summary; A warning for the Chiefs

The Chiefs should be asking themselves what happened in 2025. Like, today.

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The Chiefs are apparently starting Kahlil Benson at LT if Simmons can't go on Monday, rather than shifting Jaylon Moore to LT. I find that decision mystifying, and so I wrote about the best "steel man" rationales they could have for going that route. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/trying-to-...

Trying to “steel man” the Chiefs’ (apparent) decision to start Kahlil Benson at left tackle

Piecing through a decision that, on its face, is tough to understand.

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R Mason Thomas only got better as the preseason went along. I wrote about how it was the little things as much as his obvious explosion that has me excited, and how he could change the Chiefs defensive ceiling. Read it. And smile. A lot. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/r-mason-th...

R Mason Thomas could change the Chiefs’ defensive floor and ceiling

The rookie pass rusher has a LOT of pressure to perform, but his preseason film is promising.

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The Chiefs have a decision to make at RT. I wrote about Benson and Moore's night against the Bucs, and the difference between not ideal and not tenable. Not a fun topic, but an important one. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/kahlil-ben...

Kahlil Benson, Jaylon Moore, and the fine line between problematic and unplayable

The Chiefs have a decision to make at right tackle, and “dying slow” should matter.

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I couldn't decide whether to write about Cyrus Allen or Peter Woods' preseason Week 1 film. So I wrote about both. Come read about both Chiefs' rookies, where there were flashes, and where there are limits on what we can see due to preseason context. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/cyrus-alle...

Cyrus Allen and Peter Woods preseason week 1 film review; Flashes and limitations

Looking at the film of two Chiefs rookies, and discussing the way context muddles small sample sizes.

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It'd take a real sicko to chart every snap from R Mason Thomas in a preseason game. It's me. I'm the sicko. Come read about the Chiefs' rookie pass rusher, who flashed even more on tape than he did watching live. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/r-mason-th...

R Mason Thomas showed some real juice in his Chiefs' (preseason) debut

Charting every snap of the rookie defensive end and looking at the traits he flashed.

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Chiefs preseason starts Saturday. Time to start talking about who and what I'll be watching. It seemed only fitting to start with Cyrus Allen, who has more hype from camp than most rookie WRs I can recall. Short story: The HOW matters, not the what. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-how-ma...

The how matters; What exactly to watch for in Cyrus Allen's preseason debut

The rookie WR is getting enough buzz to warrant his own consideration.

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I wrote about some of the most interesting (to me) storylines coming from Chiefs' training camp, dividing them into two groups: Real or fantasy. Come read about Peter Woods, Mahomes' deep ball, under center on offense, and a lot more. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/real-or-fa...

Real or Fantasy: Chiefs 2026 training camp storylines

Examining some of the storylines flying around training camp.

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Cyrus Allen is taking over Chiefs training camp discourse. It's awesome. But on Monday, the pads come on and football gets kinda/sorta real. I wrote about what I'll be watching for with Allen, and 8 other things I'll be keeping an eye on. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/cyrus-alle...

Cyrus Allen and _____ things to watch as the pads come on in Chiefs camp

Monday is when football kinda/sorta starts.

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I wrote about what matters and what doesn't at training camp, a yearly tradition at the CITN Substack. We're always desperate to assign meaning to things during TC, but a lot of it is fluff. Let's talk about how to sift through it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/what-matte...

What matters and what doesn't at Chiefs training camp; 2026 edition

Reviewing what to pay attention to and what is fluff during a time with a LOT of fluff.

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The Chiefs' CB room has a number of high variance bets. That makes their floor vs their ceiling one of the widest gaps of any position group. I wrote about it, along with what scenarios could play out and how likely they are. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/ceilingflo...

Ceiling/Floor of the 2026 Chiefs; The cornerbacks

Looking at the ceiling and the floor of one of the more interesting groups in KC.

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Omarr Norman-Lott is one of the Chiefs' young guys on the DL they're hoping can step up after a rookie season marred by injuries. I went through the film from last year, and... well, there's some work that needs doing. Worth a read, IMO. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/omarr-norm...

Omarr Norman-Lott film review; Lots of growth needed in year 2

The second year player lost time to injury last year, but had enough snaps to show he's got a ways to go.

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Tyquan Thornton needs to be a bigger part of the Chiefs' offense. I went through every '25 deep ball target to show why that is, look at the numbers, and be baffled at why they stopped using him. This has to change in '26. Come read about it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/tyquan-tho...

Tyquan Thornton's role needs to shift in 2026

And by shift, I mean increase. By kind of a lot.

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You do what you do because you believe what you believe. The Chiefs have shown, based on what they've done this offseason, how they diagnosed the problems of 2025. Were they right? I wrote about it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/are-the-ch...

Are the Chiefs right about what went wrong last year?

Andy Reid and Brett Veach are counting on some specific diagnoses to cure what ailed them last season.

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I wrote about Emmett Johnson's college film, how he's got a pair of complementary skills that may translate really well at the next level, and what that could mean for the Chiefs' continued RB-room rebuild. Read it. And smile! mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/emmett-joh...

Emmett Johnson film review; The Chiefs have a rotational RB2 on their hands?

You can talk me into the rookie RB from Nebraska as an immediate contributor

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Now that I'm back in the States, I'm back to reviewing Chiefs' draft picks. I wrote about Jadon Canady, who has a lot of traits to like as a slot CB, and some questions he'll need to answer at the next level. Read it! Now! (or later, you do you) mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/jadon-cana...

Jadon Canady film review; Finally, a slot guy (maybe).

Examining the film of the Chiefs' 4th round pick.

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I wrote about my family's trip to Japan, and also the six-year anniversary of the Chief in the North substack. Basically, it's a lot of "look how cool Japan is" combined with "thank you all so much for being amazing." mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/japan-part...

Japan Part 2 and Happy Anniversary

More thoughts on a once in a lifetime trip, and thanks for a once in a lifetime job

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The seemingly never-ending series of bad news blurbs on Rashee Rice continued yesterday. I wrote about what happened, why it should lead to some trust issues about Rice's availability for 2026, and some options the Chiefs should seriously consider. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-rashee...

The Rashee Rice saga should cause the Chiefs to seriously consider options at WR

Another Rice thing happened. Well, two things, actually.

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The Chiefs' 2026 schedule is official. I've got 8 "big picture" thoughts on how that schedule looks. It's fun to talk about the future and (hopefully) leave 2025 in the past where it belongs. Read it, happy Friday! mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/eight-thou...

Eight thoughts on the Chiefs' 2026/27 schedule

Because why not?

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The Chiefs deviated from their norms and drafted R Mason Thomas, a speed rusher who comes screaming off the edge. After looking at his college film, I'm glad they did. I wrote about the Chiefs looking for another "closer." Read it and smile. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/r-mason-th...

R Mason Thomas film review; Chiefs looking to add a closer

Looking at the film of KC's deviation from their norm at edge rusher.

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The Peter Woods film review us up. I wrote about Woods' traits, his high-ceiling traits and "best of" snaps, where he needs to improve to become more consistent as a pass rusher, and how he could fit with the Chiefs early. Read it. Now! (or later) mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/peter-wood...

Peter Woods film review; The Chiefs bulk up their defensive line

Looking at a defensive tackle whose ceiling is close to limitless

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The Chiefs traded up for Mansoor Delane, taking a huge swing early in the draft to add blue chip talent. I wrote about Delane's college film, where he wins, and what he needs to show for that swing to be worth it. You should read it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/mansoor-de...

Mansoor Delane film review; Blue chip talent, worth the cost?

Looking at the film of the Chiefs' massive swing in the draft.

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People have strong opinions about KC Concepcion. And now, after reviewing his film, I do too. In the most positive way. I think that dude can PLAY. I wrote about it in "know your Chiefs draft crush, Part 4." You should read it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/know-your-...

Know your Chiefs draft crush, Part 4: KC Concepcion

We continue looking at WRs as the draft nears.

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Jordyn Tyson film review is up as we continue the "know your Chiefs draft crush" series. The injury history is where people have to start, but that film... I guess I'll just say if you pick one of these to read, I'd go with this one. Because... MAN. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/know-your-...

Know your Chiefs draft crush, Part 3: Jordyn Tyson

Breaking down the film of one of the most talented players in the draft

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The Chiefs have had 2 very specific types of offseasons during the Mahomes/Veach era; Teardown/rebuild or "keep the band together." I wrote about how the latter approach cost them, and how this offseason they appear to be forging a new path. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/are-the-ch...

Are the Chiefs changing their team-building approach?

This offseason feels different than others in the Brett Veach era. Let's talk about it.

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Khyiris Tonga is a Chief, and I'm happy. I reviewed the majority of Tonga's 2025/26 snaps and came away impressed with his ability (and versatility) as a run defender... who isn't a total nonfactor crushing the pocket. Read it and smile. Beef! mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/kyiris-ton...

Khyiris Tonga film review; the Chiefs are adding beef up front

Looking the hulking DT's 2025 film to see where he can help KC's defense.

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I wrote about the Chiefs' very active Day One in free agency. They were able to plug multiple holes and address a huge weakness without being irresponsible financially. A good start. Still work to do, though. You should read it. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-chiefs...

The Chiefs' Day 1 in free agency was largely sensible, but there's work to do

The Chiefs made a number of signings on Monday

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If I were Brett Veach, Part 2, is live. I wrote about how I would handle free agency if I were the Chiefs' GM, including guys I'd love to bring in and what in-house guys I'd try and retain. You should read it. Just a couple more sleeps until FA. mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/if-i-were-...

If I were Brett Veach, Part 2; Free Agency

Free agency is nearly upon us. Let's talk about what I would do if I were the Chiefs GM

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