The defending Super Bowl champions have not been fazed by the implementation of a virtual offseason amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the team's virtual program has–in some ways–enhanced the players' learning processes and allowed coaches to integrate technology into their teaching.
As such, Reid suggested the Chiefs will be ready to go when Week 1 rolls around in September (via Nate Taylor of The Athletic):
“It’s also been a great learning experience for our players and coaches,” Reid said. “Not only have we learned all this technology, but we’ve also been able to incorporate it into teaching. So even though we don’t have the players on the field, we’re able to spend a couple hours with them and teach. We haven’t slowed down a lick.”
Reid has every reason to be confident in the readiness of the Chiefs, up and down the roster.
The Chiefs will return 20 of 22 starters from last year's Super Bowl squad, giving them a certain sense of continuity and established excellence.
If there is any reason for Chiefs fans to be nervous, it would be Chris Jones' status entering training camp.
Kansas City hit Jones with the franchise tag, and does not seem to have interest in signing the tender. The 25-year-old has reportedly been absent from virtual team meetings, and it would seem the Chiefs have done very little in the way of negotiating a long-term deal with their star defensive tackle.
Jones might be tempted to orchestrate a holdout if he is not offered an extension, which would be a serious loss for the Chiefs defense.
However, Reid seems to suggest his team is adaptable. Whether the Chiefs can sustain the loss of a guy like Jones is another question. But for now, Kansas City is ready to defend the crown.
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