By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Chiefs used a cooler Thursday morning to take a lighter practice day after practicing in pads for three straight days to start the week, doing a '10-10-10' practice at Missouri Western State University on the Mosaic Life Care Practice Fields.
Despite the injury to Cyrus Allen on Saturday, the Chiefs return unit provides an intriguing competiton during camp. Return specialist Nikko Remigio leads the pack after establishing himself last season as one of the top special teams players.
Remigio became the Chiefs primary kick and punt returner last season after joining Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Remigio says this year, even being established as the top return man, his mentality in camp has not changed.
"I consistently stay in a place of having everything to gain and nothing to lose," Remigio tells reporters after practice. "I'm a firm believer in that and I stood up here in front of you guys last year and told you that my mentality was that undrafted free agent that barely got a shot to make it and I'm scratching and clawing and I stand by that. So that's where my mentality is at.”
Remigio returned 25 punts for 191 yarsds and 29 kickoffs for 741 yards last season. He is competing this season with Emmett Johnson, Emari Demarcado, as well as Allen once he returns, for the return man job. Remigio does also have more opportunities to make an impact among the wide receiver group, with openings behind Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton.
In fact, earlier this camp, Remigio made a nice catch during practice from a new face to the team, backup quarterback Justin Fields. The Chiefs acquired Fields from the New York Jets this offseason. It's the fourth team Fields has been on in a whirlwind career.
As Fields learns under his fifth offensive coordinator, he says there are a lot of concepts in the Chiefs offense that are similiar to other concepts run around the league, but.
"Just the things we can do within a concept, the different options a QB has, it really kind of opens up a little bit," Fields expains. "I've also kind of seen different concepts that I've never seen before. It's been awesome of course to learn from coach (Andy) Reid and Pat (Mahomes). I've been blessed with a lot of knowledge since I've been here and I hope I continue to grow."
Fields started his career in Chicago, under former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, before making a stop in Pittsburgh, prior to ending up with the Jets. Fields will likely play a majority of the snaps at quarterback through the preseason for Kansas City, even with Mahomes cleared to practice, though there has been no official word on how much preseason action Mahomes will see.
On the defensive side of the ball, rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods has shown his potential during Training Camp. Woods has worked alongside and learned from Chris Jones, as well as Khyris Tonga during camp. Woods will look to make an impact along the defensive line this season as the Chiefs look to pressure the quarterback more.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes what he’s seen from Woods since the pads have come on, but says the rookie still has a lot to learn, like most rookies.
"Some of these younger guys aren’t really used to the way that we do things. I’m talking about all the little things, running in and out of huddle, all that stuff, and that’s for all the rookies and Pete’s right in there with that crew," Spagnuolo says. "But when he does get his feet right, he does keep his pad level low, he’s a pretty good football player. So, it’s our job to get him to do that every down and he’s a willing guy. I like him, he’s a smart football player
Overall on defense, since pads have come on, Spags says he wants to sees a long way to go in the physicality and violent play of the defense, but hopes to see more in the preseason games.
It was a shorter practice today for the Chiefs, just over an hour. They practice again tomorrow at 9:15am.
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