Five areas to consider when Chiefs kick off OTAs
The Chiefs begin on-field workouts and drills this week
The Chiefs on Tuesday begin Phase III of the offseason workout program with 10 days of organized team activities (OTAs).
OTAs, which are voluntary for the players, are scheduled for May 27-29, June 2-4 and June 10-13, followed by the three-day mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 17-19.
In addition to classroom instruction during OTAs, the Chiefs are allowed to conduct team-related drills, such as 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11, for on-field install sessions.
But live contact throughout the periods remains prohibited.
With the table set, here are five considerations to keep in mind ahead of training camp, which should begin in late July.
KEEP IT REAL
Let’s start here because this is arguably an important factor when considering the NFL is officially in offseason trope season.
With that said, don’t read too much on all incoming hype reports surrounding either “Player X looks great” or “Player Y made a great catch” or “Player Z is coming on.”
On-field workouts during Phase III are done with players in helmets and shorts with no contact, so they’re supposed to look good.
Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for a player who looked good during OTAs to simply disappear in the late summer months when pads come on. There’s a reason the NFL doesn’t have an All-OTA Team.
The lack of full contact also presents a challenge to evaluate certain positions groups, such as the offensive line and interior defensive line. Those players’ time to shine will arrive in late July/early August during fully padded one-on-one drills.
Nevertheless, there are benefits when absorbing media observations throughout OTAs, followed by the three-day mandatory minicamp ahead of the mid-summer break.
The workouts provide insight into what the Chiefs are thinking with personnel groups, such as who is lining up where with the first- and second-team units, before the pads come on in training camp.
For example, think back to 2021 when the Chiefs overhauled the entire offensive line. Then-rookies Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith and Lucas Niang spent most of their on-field work with the first-team offense, so it was no surprise the Chiefs stuck with them when training camp opened.
HOW MUCH WILL JOSH SIMMONS DO?
The Chiefs limited their first-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft to stretching/conditioning and individual position drills during the recent rookie minicamp.
And it wouldn’t surprise if the Chiefs took the same approach with Simmons during OTAs by keeping him away from team drills.
Simmons suffered a torn patellar tendon in October 2024, so he’s just seven months removed from the injury.
The Chiefs should continue erring on the side of caution with their future starting left tackle and there’s simply no need to push Simmons at this point of the offseason.
It makes more sense to see what Simmons can do in training camp.
LEFT SIDE BATTLE
With Simmons likely limited during OTAs, the Chiefs are set to get a good look at Jaylon Moore, who signed a two-year deal at the start of March’s free agency, at left tackle.
Moore was the presumed starting left tackle before the Chiefs drafted Simmons, and he continues to have future value if Simmons isn’t ready to start the regular season. Moore further provides flexibility to become a swing tackle whenever Simmons returns.
The other spot the Chiefs must fill is at left guard, where Joe Thuney manned before the Chiefs traded him to the Chicago Bears.
And the top two contenders to replace Thuney current projects as Kingsley Suamataia and Mike Caliendo.
The Chiefs could rotate Suamataia and Caliendo with the first-team offense at the start of OTAs, and this position battle for a starting job should go into training camp before a winner is identified.
IS RICE READY?
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently offered positive feedback on wide receiver Rashee Rice, who suffered an ACL injury early last regular season.
Rice was among the receivers present during Mahomes’ annual offseason throwing session in Texas.
“He looks really good,” Mahomes said of Rice in late April. “He’s running routes, he’s catching the football. I don’t know when we get back into the actual OTAs how much he’ll be able to do, but he’s been able to do everything here as far as running routes and everything like that.”
Catching balls on air without observing coaches is one thing, though, and how much Rice does with teammates during OTAs remains to be seen.
The Chiefs are obviously high on Rice, and rightfully so.
Rice appeared on track for a strong season before his injury, totaling 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in four games. His absence last season – along with Marquis “Hollywood” Brown – proved a setback to what the team wanted to do on offense.
With Rice – provided he’s healthy – Brown and second-year pro Xavier Worthy on the field together, the Chiefs have a dangerous wide receiver trio capable of attacking a defense on all levels of the passing game.
Rice’s participation throughout OTAs commands full attention.
KICKOFF RETURNER
KCSN’s Tyler Brown recently took a deep dive on the subject, and it’s worth the read.
Unlike previous seasons where there’s been a revolving door at kickoff returner, special teams coordinator Dave Toub has plenty of options to consider alongside Nikko Remigo, last season’s lead returner.
And the Chiefs added dynamic returners during the draft – specifically third-round pick cornerback Nohl Williams, fourth-round pick wide receiver Jalen Royals and seventh-round pick running back Brashard Smith – to provide competition.
Smith, in particular, totaled 1,295 yards and a touchdown on 53 returns in college.
This position battle will be a fun one to monitor throughout the summer.
