Kansas City Chiefs News

The "heat of the moment," as described by Kansas City tackle Orlando Brown Jr., can turn into an explosive fire when Patrick Mahomes happens to be quarterbacking your team.That's something Brown discovered first-hand along the reconstructed Kansas City offensive front as the Chiefs (1-0) pulled off a fourth-quarter rally to win their opener and now face a Sunday night test at Baltimore against Brown's former team, the Ravens (0-1)."That's what this team is, it's a ton of resilience, a lot of talent, and Patrick is the best ever at what he does. This is a team you should never count out," said Brown, who insisted he must play better while continuing to gel within a line that includes three rookie starters.To improve immediately, he must dismiss any nostalgia he feels while performing against his former team in a stadium where he also watched his father play."I'll be very emotional, but I plan on letting my emotions play for themselves," Brown said.That and continue to trust in Mahomes, who fired three touchdown passes in the second half and finished with 337 yards executing a 33-29 comeback against the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes took two sacks. His most dazzling throw, a 75-yard scoring bomb to Tyreek Hill, came while eluding pressure.When asked how he clicked with his new line, Mahomes accepted blame on some pressures while acknowledging he could see a variety of blitzes from the Ravens, who feature rangy linebacker Patrick Queen."I've got to work on just the depth of my drop," Mahomes said. "It's something I always have to work on, just not fading back too much."Brown won't be the only player sharing intel with a new team. Sammy Watkins moved on to Baltimore after contributing to Super Bowl runs by Kansas City the past two seasons. Watkins had four receptions for 96 yards in the Ravens' opener, a 33-27 overtime loss Monday at Las Vegas."The best thing is we get to play against one of the best teams in the NFL," Watkins said. "We've just got to come out and clean things up in practice. ... We get to redeem ourselves."

Safety Tyrann Mathieu is back at practice and should be in the lineup when the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, coach Andy Reid said.Reid said before practice Wednesday the Chiefs would have full participation and no injury concerns. That includes defensive end Frank Clark, who was inactive last week with a hamstring injury.Mathieu was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and did not play in Kansas City's Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Patrick Mahomes passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, all in the second half, as the Kansas City Chiefs did not lead until the fourth quarter but edged the Cleveland Browns 33-29 at Kansas City, Mo.Cleveland punter Jamie Gillan failed to handle a snap and the Chiefs tackled him for a fourth-down loss at the Browns 15. Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce three plays later for an 8-yard touchdown and a 33-29 lead with 7:04 remaining.The rally gave the Chiefs their 15th consecutive September victory as they begin their quest for a third straight AFC title. Mahomes finished 27 of 36, while also throwing an 11-yard TD to Kelce and a 75-yard scoring bomb to Tyreek Hill.Baker Mayfield played brilliantly, passing for 321 yards while going 21 of 28 to fuel the Browns, who lost at Kansas City in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs last season.Two straight three-and-outs in the fourth quarter enabled the Chiefs defense to atone for a 457-yard output by the Browns. Mike Hughes snagged the interception that sealed the outcome with 1:07 left and the Browns at midfield.The Browns' Nick Chubb added a game-high 83 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The Kansas City Chiefs activated safety Tyrann Mathieu from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday in advance of Sunday's season opener at home against the Cleveland Browns.Mathieu has been out of action for a week, with the team still monitoring his fitness to see how much he will be used against the Browns, according to an NFL Network report.Mathieu, 29, started all 15 games he played in 2021 -- the first time in the past four seasons he missed a regular-season game. He was named a first-team All-Pro last season after intercepting two passes, recovering one fumble and making 62 tackles. He returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown.

Be bold, be bullish, be all-in when it comes to ultra-big, ultra-athletic and ultra-skilled Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf.Metcalf is an extremely reliable breakout candidate and my prediction for huge NFL numbers in his third NFL season.Here's why:At a sculpted 6-foot-4, 235 pounds with 4.33 speed in the 40-yard dash, Metcalf has freakish size and speed and knows how to use his superior traits to full advantage.He had at least 100 yards or one touchdown in 10 of 16 games last season, finishing with 83 receptions for 1,303 yards (seventh in the NFL) and 10 touchdowns. He was targeted at least four times every game.In two NFL seasons, he has 141 career catches for 2,203 yards and 17 touchdowns.In his third NFL season, look for even greater production from Metcalf. He could emerge as the top wide receiver in the game.Russell Wilson has built a strong chemistry with Metcalf and will make it a point to throw him the football frequently. That conclusion doesn't require sources. It's just a matter of fact and practicality.The game is slowing down for Metcalf and he's gained greater knowledge of the Seahawks' offense and excellent timing with how Wilson likes to play.As they say, "Let Russ cook." How about, "Let Russ and Metcalf collaborate as co-chefs to cook a delicious meal of touchdowns."The Seahawks hired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, which could help Metcalf maximize his talents. Look at how much production the Los Angeles Rams, Waldron's old team, have had at wide receiver and the diversity of their schemes under Sean McVay.There could be extra pockets for Metcalf to operate.Metcalf should also benefit from the presence of rookie D'Wayne Eskridge, who's capable of being an effective weapon in the slot and as an outside receiver.Metcalf lined up in the slot 16.6 percent of the time last season. That number could increase under Waldron's direction. Plus, Metcalf has upgraded his route-running skills.Under Waldron, the Seahawks are expected to increase their tempo with quick passing game strategies.Metcalf is also an imposing red-zone target, where he scored five times last season.And Metcalf has the requisite attitude for the job."Hungry," he said. "Still hungry. Be better than last year, that's always the goal."Here are four more bold predictions for the 2021 season:Chiefs win it allYes, Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the talent to repeat. And they looked good in a dramatic season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys.Here's saying they won't repeat. And it's not because of any obvious deficiencies with the Buccaneers.The Kansas City Chiefs are just that good.

Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu did not practice on Friday and his availability for Kansas City's matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday is up in the air.Friday was the ninth day since Mathieu tested positive for COVID-19. He is participating in team and position meetings via Zoom.Mathieu, 29, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sept. 1. He's reportedly vaccinated, meaning to rejoin the team he would need two negative tests more than 24 hours apart and to be asymptomatic.It's unclear which of those prevented him from practicing this week.The Chiefs are preparing to play without Mathieu on Sunday but holding out hope that he will be cleared.

The most significant concern buzzing around the Kansas City Chiefs preseason camp involved improvement needed along the offensive line.In particular, better protection is a must to spare Patrick Mahomes from being battered like he was in a lopsided Super Bowl defeat. Results from a complete overhaul up front will begin to surface Sunday when Kansas City opens the season at home against the Cleveland Browns."I think that whole offensive line group has really brought out the best in each other and competed this entire camp. I'm excited to go out there and show it off Week 1," said Mahomes, who was pressured a withering 29 times by Tampa Bay defenders in a 31-9 Super Bowl beatdown.Further development along the line, which added the likes of Pro Bowler Orlando Brown Jr. and a second-round rookie, Creed Humphrey, could well determine Kansas City's fate. The Chiefs will bid for a third consecutive AFC Championship and sixth straight AFC West crown.Weapons galore return for Kansas City's prolific attack, beginning with Mahomes, who carries a touchdown-to-interception ratio of plus-90 as he enters his fifth season. He trailed only Deshaun Watson in passing yards last season with 4,740, while Travis Kelce set an NFL receiving record for tight ends with 1,416 yards.Tyreek Hill remains a speedy mismatch Mahomes looks to exploit, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire is coming off an 803-yard rushing output as a rookie. Edwards-Helaire declared himself "100 percent healthy" after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason.The Chiefs have won 14 consecutive games in September, a month that also finds Mahomes 10-0 as a starter. However, Kansas City coach Andy Reid knows that the offensive line will be a focal point, particularly with three rookies manning the center and guard positions against a stout Cleveland defensive front."That'll be a fun one to watch because their interior players are real good and experienced," Reid said. "It'll be a great experience for our guys to have the opportunity to play against them, being as young as they are."Last season, the Browns advanced to the playoffs for the third time in 27 seasons, going 11-5. The Chiefs ousted them in the divisional round 22-17 despite an injury suffered by Mahomes.Keeping Mahomes from engineering a ton of possessions could be a strategic move for Cleveland, having finished third in the NFL in rushing last season behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Kansas City Chiefs star safety Tyrann Mathieu missed another practice Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19, putting his status in question for the team's season opener.Mathieu, 29, was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sept. 1. He's reportedly vaccinated, so all he needs to rejoin the team is two negative tests more than 24 hours apart and to be asymptomatic. It's unclear which of those prevents him from practicing.What is clear is that the Chiefs are planning to play without Mathieu against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday while holding out hope that he will."It's up in the air and it's a little bit challenging to game plan for," Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said Thursday. "We've got Plan A and Plan B."Plan B would have to come from some combination of Daniel Sorensen, Juan Thornhill and Armani Watts at safety.But Mathieu has at least been a part of Spagnuolo's defensive meetings virtually.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.The Chiefs did not comment on the move, which was listed on the NFL's official transaction report.Mathieu was named All-Pro in each of his two seasons with the Chiefs and is in the final season of his existing contract. Mathieu and general manager Brett Veach have stated their commitment to working on a new deal, but that won't likely happen before the start of the regular season on Sept. 12.Veach said Wednesday nothing has changed in contract talks but the team is "committed to seeing that process through."Mathieu, 29, will make $14.55 million in 2021.

Two-time Super Bowl champion guard Stefen Wisniewski announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons on Thursday.The 32-year-old veteran of 139 NFL games announced in a video posted to Twitter that he plans to pursue a career in the ministry."I absolutely loved playing the game of football but after 10 years, my body, my mind and my heart are telling me it's time to move on," Wisniewski said, in part. "What am I going to do next? I'm going to be a pastor. The absolute best part of my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ and I can't imagine a better full-time job than teaching people the Bible and sharing the love of Christ with others."

One chief concern in Kansas City entering the 2021 season is the contract status of safety Tyrann Mathieu. Keeping him became slightly more complicated on Tuesday.Mathieu, 29, is entering the final season of a three-year contract he signed as a free agent. He will make $14.55 million in 2021.That's well below the new bar for players at the position after Jamal Adams signed a four-year, $70 million extension with the Seattle Seahawks to become the NFL's top-paid safety. He makes an average of $17.5 million per season under the terms of the contract inked Tuesday.Mathieu said it would be hard to wear "any other uniform" after going to back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs."The fans here are amazing. My teammates are amazing. I spoke about the relationships that I have with my coaches," Mathieu said in the spring. "Some of these things, you can't buy other places. I'm a guy that's had to start over quite often, so I would like to stay here -- for sure."The Chiefs have multiple sizable salaries on the ledger for 2022, and general manager Brett Veach tends to ramp up negotiations closer to the end of an existing contract. He's also no stranger to the franchise tag.

Coming off back-to-back Super Bowls, All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes will get the start in Kansas City's preseason opener Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers.Mahomes - and all the first-teamers - will play the first quarter, second stringers get the second quarter and so on.The Chiefs also feature an overhauled offensive line, a point of focus for coach Andy Reid."That continuity, communication, working together through different works, functioning," Reid said Thursday when asked what he's looking for from the unit.

Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif broke his hand during a practice last week, according to multiple reports.Duvernay-Tardif is expected to be sidelined about four weeks.The timeline gives Duvernay-Tardif a chance at being available for the team's regular-season opener on Sept. 12 against the Cleveland Browns.Duvernay-Tardif has been working as the second-team right guard in training camp behind rookie Trey Smith.The 30-year-old Canadian has started 57 of 60 games played during five seasons with the Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce did not participate in practice on Friday, one day after experiencing tightness in his back and hips.The NFL Network reported the move to keep Kelce from being active at practice is a precaution and not a sign of serious injury.Kelce, 31, has recorded five straight seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards. He set career-high totals in catches (105) and touchdowns (11) in 2020 while his receiving yards (1,416) served as an NFL record for tight ends.

Free agent defensive end Alex Okafor is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year contract, NFL Network reported Tuesday.Okafor, 30, played in 21 regular season games (nine starts) and three postseason contests for the Chiefs over the past two seasons, including the Super Bowl LV loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February.He tallied 16 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, three sacks and one forced fumble in 11 games in 2020, when he spent time on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.Okafor's career totals include 30 sacks, 192 tackles, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception in 89 games (60 starts) with the Arizona Cardinals (2013-16), New Orleans Saints (2017-18) and Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark was charged in Los Angeles County with felony possession of an assault weapon on Friday and faces up to three years in prison.Clark was arrested on March 13 after a traffic stop when officers found a firearm and two loaded guns in the car.FOX4 in Kansas City reported that Clark will be arraigned on July 14 in Compton, Calif.The charge on Friday is unrelated to another case against Clark, who was also arrested on June 20 in Los Angeles with a Uzi submachine gun after his car was stopped by police.Clark is set to appear on Oct. 18 in the June case.The 28-year-old Clark is entering the third season of a five-year, $104 million deal with the Chiefs. His base salary for 2021 is $18.5 million.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes provided a promising update on his surgically repaired toe.Mahomes reiterated Thursday that he feels healthy following an offseason operation. In fact, he was comfortable enough to grab his clubs in preparation for the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Tournament in South Lake Tahoe, Nev."The toe's feeling great," Mahomes told the NFL Network. "I'm out here playing golf, being able to walk around the course. I've been running, cutting, jumping, throwing, doing it all. So I'm just excited to get back to training camp and have another chance to make a run at it and win the Super Bowl this year."Mahomes, 25, had the procedure days after guiding the Chiefs to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, in which they dropped a 31-9 decision to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Feb. 7.Mahomes played through the turf toe injury, which was sustained in the playoffs during Kansas City's 22-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round on Jan. 17.

Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Frank Clark is facing a felony weapons charge -- illegal possession of a firearm -- following his Sunday night arrest in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.com Monday.TMZ said Clark, driving a Lamborghini SUV, was found to be carrying an Uzi when pulled over at 9:20 p.m. on a traffic stop.Jail records show Clark posted $35,000 bond and was released Monday afternoon, according to KCTV in L.A.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid took the high road Thursday when it came to former Kansas City running back Le'Veon Bell.Over the weekend, Bell took to social media to talk about Reid."I'll never play for Andy Reid again," Bell wrote. "I'd retire first."In follow-up comments on Twitter, Bell said he had a "personal problem" with Reid because of something the coach said to him without revealing what that was.Reid made a brief remark to reporters Thursday."I enjoyed my time with him. I'm pulling for him," the veteran coach said. "That's how I roll. I wish him the best."Bell joined the Chiefs last season on Oct. 17 -- three days after his release from the New York Jets.The 29-year-old rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns in nine games with the Chiefs. He had two carries for 6 yards in the AFC Divisional playoff win over the Cleveland Browns before being inactive for the AFC Championship Game vs. the Buffalo Bills.

After fighting it out in the Super Bowl, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes are sharing the cover for Madden '22.The video game released in August is one of the most popular sports titles with a segment of fans who admittedly take a day off for the on-sale date."Whenever you first get on the cover, that's a special moment," Mahomes told ESPN. "So to be on it again, twice, with an all-time great like Tom Brady, it's a special moment that I'm glad that I'm able to do so soon after I had done it the first time."I'll be able to have it for the rest of my life and be able to show my kids and my kids' kids that I was on it two times."Brady and Mahomes are each on the cover for the second time, with Brady (then with the New England Patriots) gracing Madden '18 and Mahomes on Madden '20.Brady was MVP of Super Bowl LV as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in February. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a win in the NFL title game the previous season and won MVP honors.