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The Kansas City Chiefs are locked in after completing their first set of post-draft offseason OTAs and Patrick Mahomes has revealed what Steve Spagnuolo threw at him in practice.
Chiefs Kingdom can finally feel the relief of the 2024 NFL season encroaching and the players are already laying down the groundwork.
Despite this being classified as the ‘offseason’ period, undoubtedly this is the teams’ preseason beginnings.
Rookies take their first reps with the veteran stars as early preseason begins
Moreover, the rookies and veterans have mixed together on the field in an official capacity for the first time.
This is an excellent chance for the potential superstars of the future to make lasting impressions on coaches. The battle to make the Chief’s final 53-man roster cut is already being contested in training during May.
The OTAs are an excellent opportunity for the Chiefs offense to develop their chemistry after a sluggish start in 2023.
New weapons like Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy will have enjoyed their first professional outing, but the latter was forced to miss half of practice because of his hamstring.
Nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce will be looking to hit the ground running after he dropped below 1,000 yards on the season – the first time since 2015.
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense steps up after the Chiefs’ offences lacks early chemistry
However, their missed cues on offense meant Steve Spagnuolo’s defense was forced to step up and keep the team in games.
His unit did not need to be asked twice and one of the greatest defensive minds in the game gave the franchise a lifeline.
Furthermore, the Chiefs defensive coordinator is the only assistant coach to win two rings with two franchises.
Patrick Mahomes reveals what Spagnuolo has been throwing at him in practice
The genius has various tricks up his sleeve in crucial situations and Patrick Mahomes has suggested he has been focusing on something specifically in the recent OTAs.
“When we get up, that’s when Spagnuolo can show off all them blitzes he’s been working on,” the Chiefs quarterback explained via the Pat McAfee Show.
“I’m glad I won’t be able to go up against them in the season and only in training camp because that dude blitzes from everywhere. I want to get that lead so he can really show off that defensive game plan that he has.”
Mahomes is glad to only face the defense’s blitzes in training
Per Mahomes, Spagnuolo has been putting him through his paces with the constant blitzes during practice.
In 2024, only five teams blitzed more than the Kansas City Chiefs defense on 1st downs in the NFL.
The Chiefs DC could be turning up the heat next season and may focus on more blitzes. One thing is for sure, Mahomes is glad that he does not have to face defensive linemen like Chris Jones in a blitz.
The Chiefs are scheduled for two more OTA sessions at the end of May and the start of June, before their mandatory minicamp.