“Through a voicemail,” Maclin said. “[From G.M.] John Dorsey. I was upset, I was shocked. Apparently, they had been trying to trade me for two or three months. Which who knows if that’s true or not? I would just think that . . . a guy who is going into his ninth year would know if he’s being shopped or not. It is what it is. I still have respect for Big Red, still have respect for the organization. I’m not going to bad mouth anybody or talk any dirt on anybody. It was an unfortunate situation. They felt like they didn’t want me as a player anymore, so it is what it is. I’m happy with where I am right now, and I think that might be the last time I talk about what I call my former life. So I don’t think I want to talk about that anymore.”
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid recaps minicamp | The Kansas City Star
“It was a good camp — it was productive,” Reid said. “I was most impressed by the young guys and the improvement they made. I thought all the rookies took steps forward, and in today’s NFL, those guys are going to contribute for you. It’s also important that when they leave here, they don’t lose that.”
Chiefs' Smith heading into season after vexing few months | AP
"I think a given is that Alex has been here, he's done well and all those guys understand that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "There's more than just stepping back and throwing the football. That position has grown into a tough thing to pick up right away.
"That young kid is going to learn," Reid said of Mahomes, "that's what he's going to do. He's got a great room there to learn in between the players and the coaches in there. Then I expect Alex to go in and win. That's what he's going to do. He doesn't think any different than that. He's not looking back — he's looking forward — and that's an important thing."
Chiefs safety Eric Berry misses practice with heel pain | The Kansas City Star
Another starter who missed OTAs was guard Parker Ehinger, who continues to rehab a torn ACL he suffered last season. It seems unlikely he will be ready for camp.
“I think it will be a race for him to be ready to go,” Reid said. “I’m not counting on that.”
Saints to sign long snapper Thomas Gafford, release Jesse Schmitt: sources | NOLA.com
The 6-foot-2, 252-pound Gafford, who attended the recently-concluded mandatory minicamp on a tryout basis, has 12 years of NFL experience and spent seven seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2008-14).
Travis Kelce on track for training camp return | Chiefs Digest
Veteran linebacker Tamba Hali attended all three days of minicamp and most of the voluntary OTA practices but did not participate. The team did not disclose any injury, but Hali sitting out practice remains a standard procedure for the team.
Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill prepared for increased workload | The Topeka Capital-Journal
“With Mac, I feel like the one thing that I learned the most with him is learning how to be a pro off the field, more than on the field,” Hill said. “We spent time together on the field but people really didn’t see us off the field. I feel like being around Mac off the field really helped me a lot, showing me how to be a man, showing me how to be a citizen, showing me how to be a great teammate.”
First, he said he’s going to get a quarterback coach to help him out. “Just trying to stay on top of the footwork and the playbook as much as possible,” Mahomes said. He doesn’t who that coach will be. I always wonder how teams feel about players getting their own personalized coaches. I look at Mahomes as Andy Reid’s piece of art and I doubt an artist like Reid wants others messing with his work. But I also doubt Mahomes is going rogue and doing something the Chiefs aren’t aware of. So.
Bengals roster breakdown, 90-in-90: KeiVarae Russell | Cincy Jungle
KeiVarae Russell may have only played in one defensive snap as a rookie, but the former Notre Dame star made the most of it.
It came in Week 17 when Russell picked off Ravens backup quarterback Ryan Mallett to help seal a 27-10 win for the Cincinnati Bengals. Was that a fluke, or was it a sign of great things to come for Russell in Cincinnati?
Albert Wilson skills camp back for a second year | TCPalm
Albert Wilson -- the bantam wide receiver from St. Lucie County who took college ball and then the NFL by storm -- will be back home this summer with his Second Annual Albert Wilson Youth Skills Camp.