Nine observations from Day 2 of KC Chiefs minicamp: Hello, Kenneth Walker
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mahomes participated in individual drills, installs and 7-on-7, not 11-on-11.
- Kenneth Walker showed notable burst and quick-change-of-direction during drills.
- Mahomes threw a touchdown to Travis Kelce during the 7-on-7 period.
The Kansas City Chiefs opened Day 2 of their three-day mandatory minicamp to the media on Wednesday.
As on Day 3 and Day 6 of OTAs, as well as Day 1 of mandatory minicamp, I had a pen and notepad in hand for the hour-and-40-minute session.
Here’s what I saw:
Lucrative day for Patrick Mahomes
On the field, Mahomes followed the same regimen we have seen through the first three open looks of the offseason: He participated in individual drills, installs and 7-on-7, staying off the field for 11-on-11 team work.
Off the field, he was busy signing a reworked contract that keeps him tied to Kansas City through 2033 while making him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL by annual average.
Quick injury notes and notable absences
On offense, wide receiver Xavier Worthy remained in the yellow non-contact jersey he has worn for each open session. As expected, fellow receiver Rashee Rice missed the workout. Rookie tight end John Michael Gyllenborg watched practice without a helmet.
On defense, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott watched practice without helmets. Safety Jaden Hicks remained in a yellow non-contact jersey.
Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and cornerback D’Arco Perkins-McAllister did not practice.
The things that caught my eye
I’ve mentioned it in previous observations, but I feel the need to reiterate: While running back Kenneth Walker doesn’t have the ball in his hands as much in these looks as he will during training camp’s padded practices, his burst — especially when changing direction — has been head-turning. The Chiefs’ threat on the ground feels back.
Continuing with the passing offense, wide receiver Jalen Royals made a leaping touchdown catch from Patrick Mahomes in red-zone 7-on-7, just inside the back left pylon. Mahomes congratulated Royals with, “Good catch, 11.”
Mahomes had another touchdown in the period to tight end Travis Kelce. Between the regular season and playoffs, we have seen that combination produce a score 75 times.
Also in red-zone 7-on-7, Justin Fields threw touchdowns to wide receivers Jason Brownlee and Nikko Remigio. Rookie Garrett Nussmeier tossed a score to wide receiver Xavier Loyd.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy appears to be settling in, seemingly getting more vocal with every practice. Midway through practice, Bieniemy let a pair of young receivers hear it for lining up in the wrong position.
Early in an 11-on-11 blitz period, second-year defensive end Ashton Gillotte would have had a sack of Fields in a game situation. After practice, Gillotte said he already feels like he’s playing looser with a year under his belt.
“Last year, (I was) overthinking a lot of things — trying to make sure you’re doing the right things in this scheme,” he said. “Now you get a little bit more freedom, so I should be able to pick up the pace and add on.”
Speaking of growing comfort, it seems like things are starting to come to safety Alohi Gilman, who showed a sharp level of intensity during the workout. Gilman pulled rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen to the ground after a catch, later bumping rookie running back Emmett Johnson hard enough that Johnson’s helmet popped off.
Later, in 7-on-7, Gilman broke up a Mahomes pass intended for wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
An amusing moment early in practice: after a false start in 11-on-11, linebacker Drue Tranquill did a little pointing dance to indicate to the officials on hand that the offense had jumped. Having covered Tranquill in previous seasons, I know he loves him some offseason and training camp practices.
Jersey swap
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed appeared in uniform, wearing his familiar white No. 38. Cornerback Kevin Knowles swapped jersey numbers to No. 35.
Fresh off his arrival on Tuesday, Sneed did not participate in team scrimmage drills. Sneed and Delane were behind the formation taking mental reps during defensive installs.
Two very special guests
Kansas City Royals legend George Brett and 2019 U.S. Open champion (and Kansas alum) Gary Woodland joined Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to watch practice.
Another “First Look”
As was the case Tuesday, select season-ticket holders and team partners were invited Wednesday for a “First Look” event, giving fans and supporters of the club access to the practice
Chiefs broadcaster Mitch Holthus and in-house team senior reporter Matt McMullen provided a radio broadcast for those in attendance, featuring interviews with coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach and team president Mark Donovan, among others.
Under-the-radar players to watch in the summer
The Chiefs will have their run test Thursday, so this was the last practice look until late July. With that in mind, here are four players on my radar:
Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong: The second-year receiver won’t threaten for any of the top three or four receiver spots, but he’s shown he might have the chops to make the back end of the room competitive.
Offensive tackle Kahlil Benson: I entered Chiefs offseason work thinking the right tackle battle was a two-man race between Jaylon Moore and Esa Pole, but Benson looks to be a dark horse in the mix.
Linebacker Jeff Bassa: Leo Chenal is now a member of the Washington Commanders, meaning there is a vacancy to fill in terms of linebacker snaps. After what amounted to a redshirt year on defense, look for Bassa to get an opportunity to prove himself.
Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace: Now in his third year in the system, Roland-Wallace seems to have earned the trust of Steve Spagnuolo. The only thing that could stand in the way of an expanded role is if Sneed proves healthy and productive.
Target practice: Mahomes in 7-on-7, Fields in 11-on-11
Mahomes in 7-on-7: tight end Noah Gray (2), wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (2), wide receiver Jalen Royals (2), wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (2), tight end Travis Kelce, running back Kenneth Walker
Fields in 11-on-11: wide receiver Xavier Worthy (4), wide receiver Cyrus Allen (3), tight end Noah Gray (2), wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (2), tight end Jared Wiley (2), running back Emmett Johnson, wide receiver Jalen Royals
The conditioning test ahead
As mentioned, the conditioning test is ahead on Thursday. But in Year 11, defensive tackle Chris Jones doesn’t seem all that worried about it.
“I was just telling the guys it used to be like 10 to 12 half-gassers,” he said. “Now, it’s like, eight, and when you make it to training camp, it (used to) be 15. Now, it’s like 10. So a lot of things have changed. The physicality on OTAs done changed, so a lot of things are dumbed down to where protecting the players and making sure it’s not too hard on the body.
“It’s a cakewalk.”
True back-in-my-day energy from the longtime veteran.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Nine observations from Day 2 of KC Chiefs minicamp: Hello, Kenneth Walker."
