What To Watch For: Chiefs Take On Cardinals

The Kansas City Chiefs have now wrapped up training camp in St. Joe. The team and the rest of the NFL is nearing the end of the shortened preseason. Meanwhile, we will begin to see more reps for the starters this weekend. Time is also beginning to run out for fringe or roster bubble players hoping to crack the final edition of the active roster entering the regular season. Who will step up and answer those final opportunities?

With one preseason game in the books already, there is definitely more we want to see in this week’s contest. And while it does not officially count in the standings, building a quick start will be a focus this time around. The starting offense barely saw the field last week. But, their encouraging start was stalled, due in part to not finishing. Here are three items worth watching for when Kansas City takes on the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night.

Can Starters Build Chemistry?

There is not a lot to worry about, in terms of pure chemistry for the starting offense. However, there will be an extended look of what Patrick Mahomes looks like with his new offensive line. Trey Smith and Orlando Brown Jr. were the ones who provided significant movement and push among the starters last week. Elsewhere, we were able to see the technical savvy presence of both Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey. Lucas Niang also looks to have the starting right tackle spot nearly locked down.

At training camp, Mahomes has never had a cleaner pocket than what he had in this year’s practices. That does not mean previous players did not live up to expectations (i.e. Mitchell Schwartz, Eric Fisher, etc.). The comfortability and confidence appears to be at an all time high for the passer, though. Mahomes knows he has to improve on certain points himself. Sticking in the pocket longer and working through progressions more swiftly are going to be key points. The point being, the mix of physicality up front and the slightly altered approach of Mahomes could enhance the Chiefs high octane offense even further.

Finally, which skill players will show out on Friday? Mecole Hardman and Noah Gray each had strong training camps. Yet, they were not quite as impressive in the first preseason game last week. Can they bounce back? Plus, will we see continued improvement from receivers like Byron Pringle, Cornell Powell and even Daurice Fountain?

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Full Workload For Willie Gay?

Last week, a concussion suffered in training camp practice kept us from seeing linebacker Willie Gay play against San Francisco. He did indeed return to practice this week. Accordingly, can we expect to see him play nearly a half on Friday night? If so, the world may begin to see the constant flashes we have seen from Gay at training camp.

We believe he has the ability to become a breakout candidate on the Chiefs defense in 2021. Firstly, his closing speed and angles taken towards the ball appear to be more polished. Gay has been flying into the backfield throughout practices as well. He is filling gaps, reading plays quickly and has the ability to live behind the line of scrimmage. If he can pick up from where his game was at last year and continue to ascend, Kansas City could certainly have their next stalwart in the second level of the defense.

Running Back Rotation

With the regular season getting closer and closer, we could see more of Clyde Edwards-Helaire this week. He casually bounced forward for a ten yard gain on his first carry last week. Edwards-Helaire is another player who was hitting his stride at the end of the regular season last year. Unfortunately, injuries stalled his progression and it placed a larger workload on the shoulders of backup running backs.

While Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams should feel comfortable about leading the running back room, other spots are up for grabs on the roster. Admittedly, there is part of me that would like to see a larger amount of touches given to Jerick McKinnon. Based off of training camp, last week’s preseason game and how they have talked to the media, McKinnon appears to be ahead of Darwin Thompson on the depth chart. Could Thompson’s time in Kansas City be up soon?

Furthermore, will the Chiefs actually keep a fullback? Michael Burton caught a pass last game and was used consistently early on against the 49ers. The importance of a fullback in this offense is questionable. Burton could help to add a different layer in the offense when Kansas City begins to incorporate the anticipated two tight end sets more often. Against the Cardinals, the Chiefs will likely get a clear picture on who is worth keeping and who is not in this particular week leading up to the regular season.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles after the Chiefs game against the Cardinals. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.