OTAs and Mini-camps are done. Time for the players to break off and do the family thing, stay out of trouble and/or continue to sharpen those skills on their own until training camp kicks off.

TE Blake Bell, OL Trey Smith, RBsJerick McKinnonand RB Isiah Pacheco (Hand/Labrum), DL Tershawn Wharton (ACL) all missed OTA’s and mini-camp.

S Mike Edwards, CB Trent McDuffie and CB L’Jarius Sneedworked with the training staff off to the sides during the practice festivities.

Contract pot is bubbling with DL Chris Jones who was missing practice and it may well be $$$-related. Jones can be fined $50K for 2 absences. A3^rd could cost him $100K. But his contract situation (extension) is also costing the Chiefs. GM Brett Veach pretty much has his hands tied financially until he and Chris Jones get things worked out, signed and sealed. The uncertainty of the numbers Jones ends up signing for creates a limbo state when it comes to Mr. Veachclosing significant deals with free agents.

WR Justyn Ross was making his presence known but, as has been his history, missed some practice time. Kadarius Toneyalso missed some workouts on the field. Coaches say they are playing it safe with players who have lengthy injury dossiers, which both Justyn Ross and Toney already have in their young careers.

Rookie WR Rashee Rice may not be a factor in 2023. Most often freshman wideouts have a huge learning-curve to navigate in Coach Reid’s complex offense. Rice isn’t letting up though, even in his down time. He’s working with one of the best WR teachers/trainers in the world, David Robinson. Some of Robinson’s former pupils includeChristian Kirk, Jerry Jeudy, Tyler Lockett, Chris Godwin, Dez Bryant and Julio Jones.

Last season 4 undrafted or unsigned players forced their way onto the active roster. 2 players head my list in this department this year. As I already mentioned, heads-up on WR John Ross. Then there’s undrafted CB KahlefHailassie. He’s gotten lots of looks with Sneed and McDuffie sidelined, and he has WR-hands to go with outstanding cover instincts.

Word is Jerick McKinnon had opportunities to ink a deal with other clubs but he wanted to stay in KC. McKinnon is now on his 3rdstraight1-year contract. He’s expected to get back to his Chiefs work by training camp in July. Signing McKinnon was vital for the offense in 2023, especially early in the season. Isiah Pacheco is recovering from shoulder and hand surgeries and missed al off-season workouts.

Footballers like to say Isiah Pacheco came out of nowhere last year as the surprise rookie, but we know exactly where he came from… Rutgers, 7th round of the 2022 draft. The underdog took over the Chiefs backfield by mid-season, appeared in all 17 games, started 11, gained 830 uards rushing at a stellar 4.9 YPC, and scored 5 TDs. He did not figure much in the passing game as veteran Jerick McKinnon had that roll locked up. While he was crashing through tacklers and charging forward every time he touched the football, Pacheco suffered a torn labrum and a broken bone in his hand but played through. After the Super Bowl winning campaign Pacheco did indeed have surgery and he is still recovering, mossing OTAs and mini-camps. Pacheco is efforting to return mid-way into training camp but it has become quite clear he won’t be there when the camp festivities begin. Fanballers are projecting a big season for Pacheco in 2023, with plans by coach Andy Reid to expand the RB’s receiving chances. More catches this season by the KC lead back may not translate into many more touches however, as the Chiefs’ coaches may cut back on his carries to save Pacheco from himself and his uber-aggressive ways of attacking tacklers.

If the Chiefs are regulating on-field time for Kadarius Toney now what makes us think they’ll turn him loose when the season kicks off for real? I know a lot of fanballers are hyped about Toney becoming the heir-apparent of Tyreek Hill’sexplosive roll in this offense, but it really feels as if Coach Reid will be more apt to keep Toney to a snap count all season.

Starting to feel that was about Pacheco too. The young man just runs too hard, too violently for his own good. We’ve all-but-dismissed Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the 2023 season but, who the heck do we think will get the bulk of the carries if Pacheco isn’t ready week 1?

I would not be shocked if the Chiefs end up with not one WRreaching 60 catches… other than TE Travis Kelce. However, I would not be shocked if Rashee Rice is the guy who leads all Chiefs wideouts in catches, yards and TDs… in 2024.

Chiefs defense racked up 55 sacks in 2022… that’s good for 2^nd in the NFL (behind Philly’s ridiculous 70 sacks). KC was tops in QB pressures with 178. The rush looks even better this season and the one player I’m excited to see take off in 2023 is DE George Karlaftis.

On the flip side of the defense, they led the league in TD passes against with 33.

Okay, it is the quiet time in the NFL, so let’s sit back and relax until next month when training camps begins.

Oh, Hey! Harrison Butker… Benedicattibi Deus et custodiat opus phantasticum et exemplum quodtu es.

End.