On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs conducted their first mandatory minicamp session of the 2025 season at their practice facility on the grounds of the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City.
Arrowhead Pride editor-in-chief Pete Sweeney was there. He posted some observations on social media — starting with a crowd.
Tuesday's initial mandatory minicamp workout coincided with a 'First Look' event for select season-ticket holders, who watched along. Even a little crowd noise livens up the atmosphere. Overcast day in the mid-to-high 70s throughout.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
Just one player was truly absent — and there were four newcomers.
Attendance for minicamp was near-perfect, with only TEs Tre Watson and Jake Briningstool held out. Briningstool attended the practice but did not have a helmet. The #Chiefs also hosted 4 tryout players: WR Tanner Knue, TE Geor’Quarius Spivey, OT Ricky Lee and C Joe Lombard.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
A few players were held back from some activities.
I spotted 4 players who appeared to be limited in some capacity: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, OTs Jaylon Moore and Jawaan Taylor and TE Jared Wiley. OT Josh Simmons continued to do everything and updated reporters on his recovery progress after the workout.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
More on Simmons and his continued progress returning from the torn patellar tendon he suffered during his final collegiate season at Ohio State: https://t.co/o7mc3S0usw
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
Trey Smith was present and accounted for.
Franchise-tagged RG Trey Smith attended the Tuesday practice. Last week, the Chiefs were unsure Smith would be there, but his presence avoids any fines as his reps work toward a long-term deal.
DT Chris Jones had some playful words for Smith on the contract: "I did things a…
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
And so was Travis Kelce.
Patrick Mahomes and his starting running back wasted no time.
On the first play of 11-on-11, RB Isiah Pacheco lined out wide and beat CB Trent McDuffie down the right sideline, catching a pass that likely would have went for a touchdown. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster fought off McDuffie to bring in a pass a few plays later.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
In Mahomes' next turn, he floated a pass to the left numbers to connect with WR Jason Brownlee, who launched up off the ground to bring in a tough contested catch against S Bryan Cook. The back-end of the WR room is one of the more interesting deep battles heading to summer.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
The defensive backs got in a few licks.
In the same period, CB Nohl Williams leapt and torqued his body to intercept QB Gardner Minshew. WR Justyn Ross made an outstanding catch from QB Chris Oladokun on an out-breaking route to the right sideline.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
But Mahomes can always fight his way back.
Mahomes ended the period in the red zone with touchdowns to RB Brashard Smith and Kelce, who navigated soft coverage and sat down in a middle-window for Mahomes. Even though it was a 2-yard touchdown, Kelce danced for the crowd.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
The backup quarterbacks got on the field, too.
In Minshew's final plays during this period, rookie DE Ashton Gillotte would have had a sack in a contact practice. LB Cole Christiansen broke up a Minshew touchdown pass intended for TE Robert Tonyan. QB Bailey Zappe tossed a score to Ross.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
Then it was on to 7-on-7 drills.
To start his 7-on-7 period, Mahomes connected with Kelce, Tonyan and Rice before Smith-Schuster made an impressive diving catch to bring the ball in. Mahomes nearly was perfect before DB Chamarri Conner broke up a pass intended for Smith.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
Later in 7-on-7, S Major Williams deflected an Oladokun pass up and into the hands of LB Brandon George.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
The workout continued with RZ 7-on-7, and Mahomes threw scores to Rice and Smith-Schuster, who tapped two feet in as DC Steve Spagnuolo disputed. The two embraced in a fun moment, caught by the @Chiefs video team. Smith-Schuster would add another score later in the final 11-on-11…
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
Justyn Ross and Elijhah Badger both made plays.
Also in RZ 7-on-7 work, Ross tapped two feet in the back of the end zone to record a touchdown from Minshew, and WR Elijhah Badger made a one-handed grab from Oladokun just inside the front right pylon despite a defender being in his face.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
Pete toted up Mahomes’ targets on the day.
Mahomes' 11-on-11 targets: Smith-Schuster (4), Brownlee, TE Noah Gray (3), Rice (3), Kelce (2), Moore (2), Pacheco (2), Ross, Smith, WR Tyquan Thornton, WR Xavier Worthy
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 17, 2025
The Chiefs will have the second of three mandatory minicamp sessions on Wednesday — and Pete will be back with more observations.