Many of the storylines throughout every NFL minicamps have commonly been about players not in attendance or contract talks. One of the most overlooked aspects of camp is the conditioning of players preparing to be in top-tier shape ahead of training camp in July.
The Kansas City Chiefs utilized their last day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday to address their team’s conditioning. Head coach Andy Reid and All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes took time during their Thursday press conference to talk about the conditioning test the team went through as minicamp comes to a close.
“Alright, the guys finished up today,” Reid brgan. “They had a little conditioning thing we did today, and they did a nice job with it. Now they’ve got some time off and then they’ll be back and ready to hit camp. It looks like the team’s in good shape now, it’s important that they even ramp it up a little bit more for the long haul of the season.”
The Chiefs will take another conditioning test at the onset of training camp in July. Reid’s test is known for being notoriously difficult, typically including about 15 half-gassers. Reid says the test has changed over the years and isn’t quite as rigorous as it once was.
“It’s a little bit less than that now,” Reid explained. “Not much. But it’s a little bit. For you and I, it’s a lot.”
The Chiefs’ offense has had a reputation for being fast-moving and scoring rapidly. The defense also has to be prepared to face that type of offense during practice and on game day. The conditioning of Reid’s players has rarely been questioned, and the relentless pace has only helped the team keep opponents gasping for air.
Mahomes says that these conditioning tests are necessary to ensure that players are staying at the top of their game.
“If you can’t tell, I’m still sweating right now,” said Mahomes. “It’s something we know is part of it. It’s something you’ve got to do to make sure your body is in the right spot, and I think it kind of keeps guys on their toes kind of this offseason break knowing that when they get back for that training camp, we’re going to have that conditioning test that first day. I think more than anything, it’s just making sure you’re on top of your game in the offseason, those days you don’t want to work out because you know you have to be ready for that first day of training camp.”
The Chiefs players will look to remain fit leading into July’s team training camp — which is the final organized tune-up before football returns.