Dave Toub ends Chiefs' punt returner competition before it begins, gives stamp of approval to two rookies and an underdog
Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub always downplays how much control he has over the 53-man roster, but the truth is that this team puts just as much emphasis on the third phase of the game as they do offense and defense. Chiefs LB Nick Bolton might have said it best during Friday's post-practice […]
Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub always downplays how much control he has over the 53-man roster, but the truth is that this team puts just as much emphasis on the third phase of the game as they do offense and defense.
Chiefs LB Nick Bolton might have said it best during Friday's post-practice media availability.
"We say we pride ourselves on 1/3rd," Bolton said. "That's 1/3rd of our team. We feel that in the sense of urgency and the detail. Understand that (Dave) Toub had a lot of guys go to the Hall of Fame. He's a Hall of Fame coach in that department. He gives guys the confidence to go and do those jobs. Special teams is not the easiest thing in the world, and he understands that."
With that in mind, Toub took the podium for the first time during the course of training camp. He revealed several notable updates about what has stood out on special teams through the first four training camp practices.
Chiefs' third-year WR Nikko Remigio seems to have a stranglehold on the starting punt returner job
Chiefs WR Nikko Remigio finished the 2024 NFL season as the team's starting punt returner/ He seems to have a stranglehold over that job at the onset of training camp, and not just because it was his to lose at the end of last season. He's continuing to raise the bar on what he accomplished in eight combined regular season and postseason games a season ago.
"Nikko (Remigio) just keeps getting better and better every day, and he doesn't make any mistakes," Toub said. "He'll catch every ball. He's dependable."
It's not just about creating explosive plays in the return game; it's about making the right decisions on the fly and under pressure. Remigio has done that in the NFL last season and continues to do it at training camp, separating himself from the other players auditioning for the punt returner job.
"But right now, Nikko is far and above everybody else," Toub said. "Just because he keeps getting better."
Remigio's success doesn't mean he's not excited about another player at the punt returner position.
Chiefs rookie RB Brashard Smith is making strides at an entirely new position
Brashard Smith hasn't played much special teams during the course of his collegiate career, so he's in the process of learning an entirely foreign position. If his transition from wide receiver to running back is any indication, it's easy to see why Coach Toub is excited about the seventh-round draft pick.
"It's so early right now, obviously, but punt returner, I'm excited about Brashard (Smith)," Toub said. "He keeps getting better and better. Didn't do it a lot in college, so this is new for him, but he's a really good catcher, you know?"
He seems to be doing all the right things in training camp, perhaps to share return specialist duties with a player like Remigio. The pair were the team's starting kick return specialists in addition to their responsibilities at punt returner throughout the course of the practice week.
Chiefs rookie LB Jeffrey Bassa is the early special teams standout for Dave Toub
Asked about young players who have jumped out on special teams, Toub highlighted a single player. That player was none other than rookie LB Jeffrey Bassa, whom the Chiefs surprisingly traded up to select in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
"Yeah, the first one is (rookie LB Jeffrey) Bassa," Toub said. "I mean, he's the one that… really, the whole linebacking crew is really good from top to bottom. They're our leaders on our special teams unit. But Bassa, he brings the combination of being real smart, and then his speed combo, that he's able to run with anybody. He's faster than anybody in coverage, so I'm excited to see him. If I had to pick one, it would be him."
Smart's and speed should immediately help him get run with Toub, where the rookie could become a four-phase special teamer in short order.
Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton's 53-man roster chances increase with Dave Toub's stamp of approval
Finally, asked about replacing former Chiefs WR Justin Watson, Toub brought up Tyquan Thornton, who is a bit of an underdog coming over to Kansas City from the New England Patriots. He's not quite a first-year player with the Chiefs after spending time on the practice squad last season, so he's got a bit of a jump-start on some others who are still learning the playbook.
"There's other guys that are popping up in the making plays on offense right now, (Tyquan) Thornton, you know, we're hoping he might be able to help us as a gunner a little bit, and then maybe in the kickoff return game we're looking at him. That's No. 2 (jersey number) on offense. He's a kind of exciting guy. I can't wait to see him in games."
Nothing will be decided until the pads come on this Sunday and preseason games are played. However, being in good favor with Coach Toub is one of the easiest ways to find yourself earning a spot on the 53-man roster over another player who perhaps isn't as valuable to that phase of the game.
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