‘I’m on his time now’ — KC Chiefs WR Cyrus Allen already building chemistry with Patrick Mahomes in rookie training camp head start
The Kansas City Chiefs’ fifth-round draft pick Cyrus Allen is using the rookie head start at training camp wisely. He’s already building good chemistry with star QB Patrick Mahomes.
After his second practice in St. Joseph, Missouri, for Kansas City Chiefs training camp, rookie WR Cyrus Allen is still a bit starstruck. Playing with Patrick Mahomes was something he only used to do in video games, but now he does it every day in practice.
“Yeah, it’s still a surreal moment for me,” Allen said. “I used to play with Pat a lot (in Madden), and I have an old teammate that loved the Chiefs, so I’m pretty familiar with what he does.”
As familiar as he is with Mahomes’ game, it’s still different seeing it in person. It’s also different being a part of it.
The rookie head start at 2026 training camp is allowing Allen to develop chemistry with Mahomes before veterans arrive. On Day 2 of practice, it was apparent that he was taking full advantage of that opportunity. Allen caught multiple passes from Mahomes during 7-on-7 drills, including a leaping catch in the end zone.
Chiefs rookie WR Cyrus Allen is building chemistry with Patrick Mahomes through timing
Speaking on his conversations with Mahomes, Allen says that the biggest key to their combined success is timing. If he can be where Mahomes expects him to be, good things are bound to happen.
“Yeah, everything is pretty much timing,” Allen said. “This ain’t college no more. This big boy ball, so everything is pretty much timing. I’m on his time, and everything is very precise in this league because they got other good players too.”
One of the staples of the Chiefs’ offense under Andy Reid is the option route. Certain coverages and leverages identified pre-snap will dictate the route that Allen will run. The trick to getting on the same page with Mahomes on those plays?
“Just being decisive,” Allen said.
Allen is learning every wide receiver spot
Andy Reid often has rookie receivers learn every spot in his offense. That means they’ll learn the X, Z, and Zebra (Slot). Even if that weren’t a requirement for Coach Reid, Allen would be doing that work behind the scenes on his own. He says you have to know every spot to be ready to play if your number is called.
“Oh, just learning every spot,” Allen said. “I’m a guy that tries to learn the whole playbook, from like what even the protections are and everything. So that’s kind of how I think. So I could be available if my number is called.”
Beyond the mental aspect of training camp, the physical is also tested. Allen is from Florida and is used to practicing in the 100-degree heat. He’s learning very quickly that the veterans weren’t joking when they told him St. Joe brings one of the toughest camps in the league.
“They definitely were right that this is one of the hardest training camps, for sure.” Allen said. “Just getting my feet wet and understanding the playbook and everything, and just keep going forward; that’s really it.”
The rookie already is setting up a good foundation to build upon at training camp during this three-day head start. He’ll need to continue making progress, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t after two practice sessions.