Jesse Newell

Quick thoughts on the Trent McDuffie trade and what it means for the Chiefs

Chiefs trade CB Trent McDuffie to Rams for 4 picks, including first-rounder: Source

Analysis on the Rams-Chiefs blockbuster trade of All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie, with @jessenewell.bsky.social and @diannarussini.bsky.social:

🏈 Why KC would deal a 25-year-old All-Pro
🏈 Why the Rams could not pass it up
🏈 How McDuffie fits with Quentin Lake and the ‘D’

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Chiefs trade CB Trent McDuffie to Rams for package of draft picks: Source McDuffie, a 2022 first-round pick, was a two-time All-Pro during his four-year tenure in Kansas City.

More on the Chiefs trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams, with @nateatkins.bsky.social and @jessenewell.bsky.social:

Eagles Offseason Chaos: A.J. Brown Rumors, Another New System For Jalen Hurts YouTube video by Scoop City

Talked Chiefs offseason and what comes next with @jamespalmertv.bsky.social on Scoop City here: youtu.be/itOY5MxhLp0?...

More on what I heard about the Chiefs at last week's NFL combine (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

The most interesting teams of the offseason, part 2: Chiefs, Vikings and Colts Podcast Episode · The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL · February 25 · 1h 5m

Was fun to talk to @robertmays.bsky.social on @tafootballshow.bsky.social here. We discussed what's ahead for Chiefs, most likely draft targets, free agency and some big-picture scheme thoughts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Chiefs’ Brett Veach hints 1 change could be coming to K.C.’s offensive identity Under coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs don't appear set for major offensive changes. But here's one tweak that seems likely with the run game.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach hinted Tuesday here in Indy that one change could be coming to KC's offensive identity: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Ranking the Chiefs’ top unrestricted free agents: Who makes most sense to bring back? Which Chiefs free agents make the most sense to return in 2026? Here's a first look.

A look at the Chiefs' top 10 unrestricted free agents ... and who might make most sense to bring back with a tight budget: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

5 offseason questions for the Chiefs ... and a priority they should have on Day 1 of free agency: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Lots of Seahawks logos in our graphic of The Athletic staff's Super Bowl picks. I went the other way because underdogs are 4-1 straight up in the last five Super Bowls.

Either way, a coach named Mike will hoist the Lombardi Trophy tonight. Gotta love that.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Terrance Gore embraced his role to become a 3-time World Series champion For Royals fans, Gore represents a connection to an era where the team made consecutive World Series and won a championship.

This story from @bymccullough.bsky.social about Terrance Gore's death, and life, is really great.

"He crackled with life, first as the kid brother of those Royals teams, and later as a journeyman bouncing from contender to contender in search of a base to steal."

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Why Chiefs special teams struggled in 2025 — and a big-picture question ahead The Chiefs have to feel good about two areas of their special teams — while also facing a big-picture decision ahead.

A deep dive into the Chiefs' special teams — and a big-picture question for 2026: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

A deep dive into the Chiefs defense offers 3 areas that need improvement ... but also lots of reasons for hope.

More on what held the Chiefs back in 2025 — and also the 35-point swing that shouldn't happen again in '26: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Chiefs’ Andy Reid fired up about returning OC Eric Bieniemy — and Matt Nagy Reid was animated with reporters during a Monday news conference. Here's what fired him up.

Why Chiefs' Andy Reid was fired up today about Eric Bieniemy's return — and Matt Nagy, too: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Chiefs 2025 offense: What needs to be fixed (and what doesn’t) after disappointing year The Chiefs aren't likely to reinvent the offense this offseason after a disappointing 6-11 season. But they still need these fixes.

A deep dive into the Chiefs 2025 offense:
• What went wrong
• Where KC was better than you probably think
• One way Mahomes changed through the season
• How the stats compare to 2024
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Chiefs mock draft reaction: Caleb Downs a ‘difference-maker’ — but not a great fit The Athletic's Dane Brugler has the Chiefs taking safety Caleb Downs in his latest mock draft. Here are the pros and cons for that choice.

Our latest @theathletic.com mock draft had KC taking a safety in the first round. Why I think the Chiefs would choose someone else: www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

As Chiefs struggled to unexpected season, these 3 small things became a big deal These moments created butterfly-effect ripples on the Chiefs' season. Here's a look at three events that didn't help Kansas City.

A look back at 3 small things that became big things during an unexpected Chiefs season: www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

What went wrong for the Chiefs in 2025 — and the biggest regrets from a lost year The Chiefs' 6-11 record didn't match up with their underlying statistics. Here are the reasons for that — and the team's path ahead.

What went wrong for the Chiefs in 2025 — and the team's biggest regrets from a lost year: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy will be interviewing with both the Titans and Raiders tomorrow, and the Cardinals on Friday, per source.

A corner locker turned into a receiving line of sorts, with Travis Kelce welcoming his coach's boss and a famous singer alike.

Was this actually his last NFL game?

Scenes from Sunday's locker room — and why one teammate isn't convinced this is the end: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

What’s next for Chiefs’ Bryan Cook? After career year in Kansas City, he discusses his future Cook, a Kansas City Chiefs safety, will be a free agent. He talks about what K.C. has meant to him and whether he's open to coming back.

Chiefs' Bryan Cook is in the midst of a career year. Here are his thoughts about KC — and also the upcoming offseason where he'll hit free agency: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

A look ahead to next year's NFL Draft — and the value the Chiefs will gain from an off year: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

Travis Kelce’s final Chiefs home game? His last play Thursday tells us something Netflix broadcast cameras followed Kelce closely for his potential final game at Arrowhead Stadium. But will it be?

The game was treated like a home swan song for Travis Kelce.
But then something funny happened on the offense's final snap — the Chiefs' last chance to beat the Broncos on Christmas.
“That’s the story of his career."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

What Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wants you to know about Chiefs’ new stadium deal Kelly said Chiefs' stadium negotiations took a notable turn during a meeting in Kansas City earlier in the month.

Talked one-on-one with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday. She spoke about:
• Her notable recent meeting with the Chiefs
• Her response to critics who say this is taxpayer welfare for team ownership
• The text she'll remember most from this week:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Chiefs’ new stadium Q&A: Here’s what you need to know about team’s move to Kansas Why did Chiefs move from Missouri to Kansas? Will the stadium's name change? And what will the cost be? Your questions answered here.

• Why did the Chiefs move to KS?
• What will be the new stadium's capacity?
• Will KC host a Super Bowl now?
• Will the Arrowhead name follow?

Some stadium questions you might be wondering about … and answers from those who spoke Monday in Topeka.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

The lasting image from the Chiefs’ latest loss — this one without Patrick Mahomes A moment from the second quarter brought out the pride and anger of a couple of Chiefs veterans in their fourth straight loss.

One sideline exchange, caught by CBS cameras, became the lead image of the Chiefs' latest loss on Sunday.
More on a KC team — playing without Patrick Mahomes — that showed a bit of fire.
Even if it lacked the rest:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

Chiefs’ breakthrough draft class faces emotional end: ‘I would love to stay here’ Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson is a pending free agent but says he would return to Chiefs if things turned out.

Chiefs’ breakthrough draft class faces emotional end: ‘I would love to stay here’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Chiefs lay out next steps for Patrick Mahomes, won’t rule out return for 2026 opener The Chiefs' head athletic trainer said nine months is the standard recovery time for an injury like Mahomes', give or take a month or two.

Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder outlined the next steps for QB Patrick Mahomes in the recovery from his knee injury — and also a tentative timeline: www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Chiefs’ Andy Reid expects Patrick Mahomes to recover quickly from injury Mahomes will get a second opinion on his knee from Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys team physician and a well-known orthopedic surgeon.

Will Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes be a quick healer from injury? Why Andy Reid thinks so: www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Chris Jones — truthfully, honestly — didn’t know the answer when he asked.

Here's more on his words (and emotions) following the Chiefs' latest loss, as he spoke for a team whose season came apart: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...