The wait is finally over. After four full-team sessions without pads, the Kansas City Chiefs are putting on the armor starting Monday. This marks the first time the team has taken the field in full gear since last season ended. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed the timeline during a press conference last week, noting the team will ease into the intensity. “We kick back just a notch, a couple of minutes there,” Reid said. That slight pause is the only soft spot left in a schedule that gets much harder very fast.
The Real Evaluation Begins Now
Non-padded practices are great for conditioning, but they hide the truth. The true test of the offensive and defensive lines starts Monday. According to Arrowhead Pride, the league-mandated ramp-up process is complete following Saturday’s session. This is the moment where depth charts actually get decided. The entire offseason program was limited to non-padded work, meaning players like Ethan Downs and Ashton Gillotte never faced full contact. Now, the roster must prove it can handle the hit.
Injuries have already shaken the depth chart. DE/LB Ethan Downs suffered a season-ending ACL injury, while DE Ashton Gillotte is out with a hamstring issue. These gaps force the team to look at younger options immediately. Hurkett, a 24-year-old undrafted free agent, gets a second chance after being released during rookie minicamp. He recorded 92 tackles and 14.5 sacks at Iowa over the past two seasons. The Chiefs need that kind of production right now, and they need it from guys who are ready to fight.
Rookies Must Pay Dues First
There is a clear rule for the new guys, and it applies to everyone. Dave Toub, the special teams coordinator, laid out the plan for every rookie in camp. “Any time you have a rookie — everybody’s on special teams until they aren’t,” Toub said. This means no star draft picks get a free pass on coverage duties. They have to earn their spot on offense or defense before they can step off the special teams unit. It is a four-phase job for starters, and the team weans them off slowly.
This approach has worked for years, but it puts pressure on the young talent. A high draft pick cannot just sit out and wait for the offense to call their name. They must contribute immediately. The Chiefs value toughness over status, and this rule proves it. If a rookie wants to be great, they have to show they can play in the trenches of special teams first. It is a simple test, but it separates the players who are ready from those who just want to be drafted.
The path to the season runs through this week. The pads are on, the injuries are known, and the rules are set. If the Chiefs want to keep their dynasty alive, they need to find their best players in these next few days. The clock is ticking, and Monday is the start of the real work.
