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Chiefs Host the First Round of "OTA" Practices at the Team Facility

The Chiefs kicked off “Phase Three” of the offseason training program on Monday

The Kansas City Chiefs reached another checkpoint of the offseason training program this week as the back-to-back defending world champions began the first round of "OTA" practices at the team facility.

OTAs, or "Organized Team Activities," are the hallmark of "Phase Three" of the offseason training program. Teams are permitted to hold 10 of these practices, which differ from previous sessions in that they permit for 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work in which the offense competes against the defense. Previously, during "Phase Two" – which spanned the last three weeks – only individual and positional drills were allowed.

It's important to point out that these aren't padded practices and no "live contact" is allowed, but in simple terms, this current phase of the offseason training program marks the closest thing to actual football since Super Bowl LVIII concluded.

"It's good to get these guys back together where, within these rules, you can work against each other offensively and defensively," said Head Coach Andy Reid. "It's obviously a non-contact camp, but at the same time, the guys can still get quite a bit of work done if they handle it the right way, and they're doing that. They're hustling like crazy, and there's a good tempo."

These practices, which are voluntary, are just a step in the long process that is the offseason training program, but while the pads aren't on yet, the plays and drills installed over the next several weeks will provide the groundwork for Kansas City's title-defense campaign.

"This is the foundation. It's [about] communication – player to coach and coach to player," said linebacker Nick Bolton. "[Things like] trust, footwork, keys, eyes, alignments and assignments – things that will help us get to our end goal. Those things are the foundation of what we're doing here, and we can build on that."

The Chiefs held three OTA practices this week and will continue with seven more over the next two weeks. As for what took place during Wednesday's practice, which was the first open to the media, here are a few notes on what stood out:

  • Cornerback Keith Taylor tallied an interception on a deep ball down the sideline during 11-on-11 drills.
  • Safety Trey Dean punched the football loose for a forced fumble during an 11-on-11 period.
  • Wide receiver Montrell Washington had a strong day with multiple deep catches.
  • Cornerback Kelvin Joseph hauled in an interception during 7-on-7 drills.
  • Wide receiver Hollywood Brown made the play of the day with a one-handed touchdown grab during a 7-on-7 period. Brown hauled in the pass despite good coverage, too.
  • Wide receiver Nikko Remigio tallied an impressive catch near the sideline and tip-toed both feet in-bounds.
  • Rookie tight end Jared Wiley made a tremendous touchdown catch up the seam during a red zone 7-on-7 period. Wiley went up over the defender to make the play.
  • Rookie safety Jaden Hicks recorded an athletic pass-breakup on a short crossing route during 7-on-7 drills. Hicks jumped the route and batted the ball away for an incompletion.
  • Wide receiver Justyn Ross made a pair of acrobatic receptions during the practice, including an impressive catch near the goal line during a 7-on-7 period.
  • Rookie cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace hauled in an interception on a jump ball during 7-on-7 drills.
  • Tight end Irv Smith Jr. recorded a strong catch on a short pass during an 11-on-11 period.

The Kansas City Chiefs during the first week of Phase 3 of OTAs.

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