KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs will kick off their offseason workout program on April 20 and finish the offseason with a three-day mandatory minicamp, highlighting the list of team dates released Friday by the NFL. But in between, there’s a surprise.
Kansas City will hold only six organized team activity sessions (OTAs), tied for fewest in the league. Those six dates, the first opportunities for veteran newcomers like quarterback Justin Fields, running back Kenneth Walker and safety Alohi Gilman to work on the field in a practice-like environment, are May 26-28 and June 1-3.
Jul 22, 2025; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks down the hill to the practice fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The Chiefs will conduct their mandatory minicamp June 9-11. Two days after that camp concludes, Travis Kelce is [scheduled to wed Taylor Swift](https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/onsi/kansas-city-remember-much-different-travis-kelce-dawn-of-career). The first World Cup match at Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for June 16.
They’ll also hold a three-day rookie minicamp with newly drafted players from May 1-3.
Kansas City’s offseason schedule
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* Offseason workout program begins: April 20
* Organized team activities: May 26-28, June 1-3
* Mandatory minicamp: June 9-11
Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Quarter of league schedules six OTAs
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Eight other teams -- Carolina, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle – also are holding just six OTAs, a league-wide trend to keep players off their feet and [preserve them for training camp](https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/onsi/kansas-city-focusing-offseason-homework-on-this-specific-scheme) and the regular season. Denver has scheduled only seven OTAs.
Every other club has scheduled at least eight sessions.
Jul 22, 2025; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) and wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) walk down the hill to the practice fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Last season, the Chiefs scheduled 10 OTA sessions, the maximum allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement. Many teams wind up cancelling one or more OTAs as a bonus to their players, sometimes surprising them with team-bonding ventures such as paintball competitions.
Every NFL team’s nine-week offseason program is voluntary and conducted in three phases. The first two weeks (Phase 1) limits activities to strength and conditioning, meetings and physical rehabilitation.
Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) practices before the game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The next three weeks (Phase 2) allow on-field workouts, individual or group instruction and drills and periods with offensive players across from offensive players and defensive players across from defensive players. Phase 2 is limited to a walk-through pace with no live contact or any activity involving team offense vs. team defense.
The final stretch (Phase 3) is four weeks with up to 10 allowable OTAs. Live contact is prohibited, although 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are within the rules.
Aug 13, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches his team play against the Chicago Bears in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Teams with new head coaches, such as Klint Kubiak and the Raiders, are allowed to begin their offseason schedules two weeks earlier and conduct a three-day voluntary minicamp with veterans in April. The Chiefs haven’t had a new head coach since Clark Hunt hired Reid in 2013. Reid’s current stretch, entering Year 14, is the longest active tenure in the league.