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The latest
Mandatory NFL minicamps preview: 23 more things to watch this week | ESPN
Whether the Chiefs have enough receiving depth
Tyreek Hill won’t be around because of his suspension and Travis Kelce is unlikely to participate because of offseason ankle surgery. So the Chiefs will get a long look at some backups who could inherit significant playing time depending on what happens to others on the depth chart ahead of them. Among the most interesting developmental candidates for playing time are WRs Byron Pringle and Gehrig Dieter and TE Deon Yelder. -- Adam Teicher
Tyrann Mathieu wasted no time in becoming face of Chiefs’ defense | ESPN
“You can acquire as many great players, as many talented players as you’d like,” general manager Brett Veach said. “But until you have a catalyst to make it go, things will never work out the way you want. [Mathieu] was the catalyst that we had to have.”
The safeties needed a massive upgrade and they got it. I believe that group held the rest of the defense back, even with the struggles against the run, which I do believe can be helped with the scheme change.
The part I wonder about is whether Spagnuolo can match last year’s pass rush.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is providing the Chiefs with elite QB production at a greatly reduced cost, which is obviously rare. When we did our study on how effectively NFL teams spend their money, the numbers pointed to the 23-year-old as the most valuable player in football. He was the MVP in more ways than one.
During Friday’s Big Slick softball game, one family from Garnett, Kansas, didn’t just catch any ball -- they got a Patrick Mahomes home run.
Around the league
Oakland Raiders to be featured on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ | NFL
The Oakland Raiders will be featured on this year’s edition of “Hard Knocks,” HBO’s critically acclaimed series documenting the drama and competition of an NFL training camp.
The Pro Bowl corner channeled his inner-Deion after finding out he wouldn’t get an extension this offseason.
Saints signing Cameron Jordan to three-year extension | NFL
The New Orleans Saints signed the star pass rusher to a three-year extension that will keep him wearing the fleur-de-lis through the 2023 season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports. The big-money deal is for $52.5 million with a max of $55.5 million and comes with $42 million in guaranteed money.
Andrew Luck won’t practice at minicamp | NBC Sports Pro Football Talk
Luck has been sitting out of practice recently because of a calf strain and he won’t be making a return at this week’s mandatory minicamp. Head coach Frank Reich announced the plan to keep Luck out on Monday and said he expects the quarterback to be fully ready when the team gets to training camp.
Todd Gurley says he feels fine and Rams expect him to be ready for training camp | Yahoo! Sports
“When we start camp, that represents him being able to get out on the field and being able to do some things with his teammates depending on how we finalize that,” McVay said. “But you should expect to see him.”
Marijuana looks more like a costly bargaining chip than reality for NFL players | Yahoo! Sports
And here’s the thing: the higher-ups in the league office believe that a decent chunk of players want it. And what’s the one thing we know the NFL is, more than anything else?
A business.
And what might a smart business do with a looming labor fight coming after the 2020 season?
Float out negotiating chips in hopes of gaining something in return.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
Report: Chiefs waiting to negotiate with Chris Jones until he returns
Ian Rapoport discussed the Chiefs’ side of things on NFL Network.
Report: Chris Jones will skip mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday
The star defensive tackle — now negotiating a new contract — has already skipped the team’s voluntary OTA practices
Anthony Hitchens provided clues about Steve Spagnuolo’s Chiefs defense on Tuesday
Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens talked about his position as the WILL linebacker and the 4-3 over.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is ready to play — with Reiter and Wylie beside him
The Chiefs right guard is fully recovered from last season’s surgery, and is sold on those playing beside him
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