Chiefs rival getting a head start on the 2022 season
The Kansas City Chiefs are being left behind by one of their division rivals, something that shouldn’t happen if we are being honest. When it comes to the 2022 season, every team in the AFC West could use any and every advantage possible to put them over their rivals. The Chiefs included. The division is […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are being left behind by one of their division rivals, something that shouldn’t happen if we are being honest.
When it comes to the 2022 season, every team in the AFC West could use any and every advantage possible to put them over their rivals. The Chiefs included.
The division is stacked this year. The Broncos added a top-five quarterback when at his peak in Russell Wilson. The Chargers added Khalil Mack, and Justin Herbert is only getting better. The Raiders added Davante Adams and Chandler Jones. So it’s safe to say the Chiefs need an advantage if they want to keep up this year. So far, they are being left behind.
Chiefs' biggest rival Raiders start training camp early
According to ESPNs’ Adam Schefter, the Raiders are the only team in the NFL to start training camp early. This includes not just rookies, but veterans, as well.
This not only gives the Raiders an advantage over the rest of the NFL, the division, but also the Chiefs. The fact that Las Vegas is starting football activities a whole week early, means a few different things that the Chiefs, among other teams can’t necessarily say.
Las Vegas is getting the rust knocked off early, a whole week earlier to be exact. A week may not seem like much, but think of it this way: That’s seven more days a team has than you to prepare for the season, to do things that you didn’t get to do. If this was the regular season, and it was a week before two teams play each other, with one coming off of a bye week, it would be a huge advantage.
The Raiders also get a head start on developing their chemistry between all the players of last year, and the new ones this year. Chandler Jones gets to interact with his new teammates and coaches, and get a feel for them. Davante Adams gets to continue building chemistry with his old college quarterback.
The rookies get to get a feel earlier than the other teams' rookies. The Chiefs need that. They are bringing in several rookies this year that could also use extra reps and earlier access to training camp activities like Las Vegas is doing.
The earlier a team starts, the more intact and ready they will be come time for the regular season. The Chiefs are starting later than Las Vegas, meaning, they are already at a disadvantage.
Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
