On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs conducted their ninth organized team activity (OTA) session of the 2025 season at their practice facility on the grounds of the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City.
This was the third (and final) voluntary OTA practice open to the media. Arrowhead Pride editor-in-chief Pete Sweeney was there. He posted some observations on social media — starting with the weather.
Thursday's practice took place under a muggy and humid overcast, with temperatures remaining in the mid-70s from start to finish.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Just five players were absent from Thursday’s session.
In this look, we did not see WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, TEs Travis Kelce and Tre Watson, RG Trey Smith and LB Drue Tranquill. Tight end Jake Brinningstool was present with no helmet.
WR Hollywood Brown, TE Jared Wiley, OT Jaylon Moore and DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah were all limited.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
One veteran running back had to leave practice early...
RB Kareem Hunt left practice early after it appeared he might have jammed a finger trying to catch a pass (we don't get official injuries in OTAs).
Hunt: "[The hand's] alright, man. It will be alright... We'll see (about Friday's practice). Take it day by day, it ain't bad."
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
...while the rookie left tackle stayed in the whole time.
Rookie LT Josh Simmons continued to do everything, something that has delighted head coach Andy Reid.
Reid on Simmons: "He looks strong, he's been jumping in and taking the team reps, which he was just doing the individual stuff before, and you can definitely see the talent.…
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
For the third time, Trey Smith was absent when reporters were there to watch.
Smith did not appear at any of the voluntary OTA sessions open to media members (Days 3, 6 and 9), and club is unsure if he will be at mandatory minicamp next week. More on that here: https://t.co/wEI83f2dp0
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Right off the bat, Jaden Hicks made a big play.
One of the better defensive plays happened in the opening 7-on-7 period on the very first rep, with S Jaden Hicks breaking up a deep pass from Patrick Mahomes down the left sideline to Xavier Worthy.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Hicks on the play: "It's a corner blitz. I know I got the one, seen Xavier Worthy, that's a speedy guy. Just try to stay on top of him and make the play. That just shaked out for me."
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Reporters watched as Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice worked on their chemistry.
In the same period, it looked like Mahomes and WR Rashee Rice were working on an option route. The first attempt resulted in a miscommunication before Rice made the play three reps later, whipping outside. Cool moment to see chemistry developing on the fly.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Rookie Brashard Smith made a big play against the team’s new veteran cornerback.
Later in 7s, rookie RB Brashard Smith lined up outside one-on-one against CB Kristian Fulton with a 'go' route call. Smith showcased that sub-4.4 speed and got about three steps on Fulton, and Mahomes delivered it deep down the field for a touchdown.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Reid on Smith: "I like what he does, he's got good speed and good [route running] as part of his game."
Reid added it's tough to gauge RBs and LBs in this passing camp. He wants to see that translate to pads in St. Joseph.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Nazeeh Johnson turned some heads while his hands were covered.
Also in 7s, CB Nazeeh Johnson jumped a Gardner Minshew pass intended for WR Justyn Ross, bringing in the interception even while wearing the muzzle training clubs to prevent tugging. Impressive play without the gloves, more impressive with them.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
The team did some preparation for the Raiders.
The next 11-on-11 period featured ones up against twos, preparing for the Las Vegas Raiders with scout teams. Reid revealed that the Los Angeles Chargers were the previous day. The last OTA week has clearly been about preparing for the AFC West.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
The starting running back and the backup tight end both snared touchdown passes.
The final 11-on-11 period saw the ones up against the ones. Inside the 10-yard line, Mahomes threw a short touchdown pass to RB Isiah Pacheco. At the goal line, he found TE Noah Gray for a score.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
At other times, it looked like the Chiefs were working on the deep ball.
Throughout the practice, I noticed Mahomes and Worthy are emphasizing work on connecting deep down the field. Thursday's look saw a couple of missed conversions as they continue to crank away at it.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Going from their own 30 in the last 11s period, Gray made a diving catch over the middle. A few plays later, rookie DT Omarr Norman-Lott broke up a Mahomes pass intended for Gray, which earned some vocal praise from the quarterback.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
As usual, the quarterback spread the ball around...
Mahomes targets (11-on-11): Rice (4), Worthy (4), Gray (3), WR Skyy Moore (2), WR Tyquan Thornton (2), RB Elijah Mitchell, RB Isiah Pacheco, WR Nikko Remigio
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
...and Pete grabbed some video.
The Chiefs will have their final Phase 3 OTA session on Friday. It will be closed to the press. Then on Tuesday, the team will open its three-day mandatory minicamp. We’ll be covering every one of those practices.