Operating out of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, the squad endured gloomy weather that eventually deteriorated into a steady downpour by the conclusion of punt-team drills, according to reporting from Arrowhead Pride. With the team navigating its final acclimation-period sessions ahead of full-contact padded practices, coaches used the workout to examine roster depth, evaluate rookies, and test flexible defensive sub-packages.
Offensive Line Adjustments Feature Rookie Kahlil Benson
Personnel shifts highlighted Thursday’s workout as the coaching staff shuffled upfront combinations. After veteran Jaylon Moore handled every starting snap at right tackle during the opening session, rookie Kahlil Benson took over first-team duties at the position on Thursday, as Arrowhead Pride detailed.
Center Creed Humphrey evaluated Benson’s progression following the workout.
“Really hard worker. He’s a very hard worker; you can tell it’s important to him. He shows up every meeting, every walkthrough, every lift, everything with the right mindset.”
Creed Humphrey, Center
Humphrey also highlighted Benson’s physical traits, noting his strength and technical proficiency in pass protection and run blocking. While Benson anchored the right side of the first unit, Moore shifted to left tackle with the second-team offense. Concurrently, Esa Pole moved from left to right tackle to protect backup quarterback Justin Fields during team segments. Second-year left tackle Josh Simmons maintained his blind-side responsibilities for starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, prompting Humphrey to praise his long-term outlook by stating that Simmons’ potential is through the roof
.
Steve Spagnuolo Experiments With Defensive Sub-Packages
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spent the session testing personnel versatility across the secondary and front seven. Safety Chamarri Conner, who frequently worked in the Nickel role during the opening practice, spent more time at strong safety alongside veteran free safety Alohi Gilman. Spagnuolo explained that the adjustment serves to prepare multiple athletes for distinct responsibilities.
“He hasn’t played as much Nickel; he’s played more safety, but that’s really to get some of the other guys ready. I think we can always put him back there in a pinch, but this gives him a little bit more time deep that he didn’t have last year. I think we’ll still have some flexibility with him at both positions.”
Steve Spagnuolo, Defensive Coordinator
Reflecting this flexible approach, free-agent signing Kader Kohou saw increased repetitions handling the Nickel role compared to the previous day. Meanwhile, third-year safety Jaden Hicks worked primarily with the second-team unit behind Conner and Gilman. Spagnuolo noted that the coaching staff intends to help Hicks master a specific assignment after he logged snaps across multiple positions last season.
Further up front, defensive end Ashton Gillotte lined up in a hybrid linebacker role designed to manufacture a five-man defensive front. Spagnuolo acknowledged that the staff is actively evaluating which defensive linemen possess the multi-position skill set required to execute varied alignment schemes.
Quarterback Progress and Injury Updates from St. Joseph
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes continued shaking off offseason rust during the seven-on-seven periods, attempting more deep throws than on the opening day of camp. One notable sequence featured a long pass toward wide receiver Xavier Worthy near the back corner of the end zone; Worthy secured the ball in his hands, but tight coverage from cornerback Nohl Williams forced him slightly out of bounds.
Injury management remained a focal point for the roster. Wide receiver Rashee Rice and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed participated on a partial basis for the second consecutive day due to planned rehabilitation schedules. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott remained sidelined on the Physically Unable to Perform list, while rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane continued wearing a yellow, non-contact jersey while participating in all available positional phases.
Worth a look
