The #Chiefs have 33 new players heading into training camp of 2023, making up over a third of their offseason roster.
The Kansas City Chiefs have quite a few new faces at Missouri Western State University for training camp this year.
With 90 players under contract, more than a third of the players on the roster have never participated in an Andy Reid training camp in St. Joseph. For our purposes, we’re going to specifically take a look at those players who are new to the team and have never spent any time on the roster or practice squad.
Here’s a look at all 33 newcomers on the Chiefs’ roster as training camp begins on Sunday:
Highlighting all the newcomers coming to Green Bay Packers training camp in 2023.
The Green Bay Packers added 36 new players to the 90-man roster since the end of the 2022 season.
Who are all these newcomers coming to training camp? The Packers made 13 draft picks, signed or claimed seven veterans or first-year players, signed or claimed 15 undrafted free agents and was assigned one international player.
To help preview training camp, here’s a quick introduction to the newcomers to Green Bay this summer, listed by uniform number:
Mike Burton spoke about the AFC title game loss, plus a look at how the newest #Chiefs are indoctrinated with the “championship mentality.”
The results of last year’s AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals still weigh heavily on the mind of Kansas City Chiefs FB Mike Burton.
The furthest Burton had advanced in the playoffs prior to last season in Kansas City was a trip to the divisional round with the New Orleans Saints in 2020. They’d be eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reaching the AFC title game in 2021 with Kansas City, Burton was close to achieving a dream that every NFL enters the league with — to get a chance to compete in a Super Bowl.
“Man, being a game away from the Super Bowl. . . it’s part of that journey,” Burton said. “The dream is the Super Bowl, right? And you were so close to getting there. It just gives you more motivation. Right when the season ended, it’s all you’re thinking about, ‘What do I have to do to get back to that game?’ So, you want to get back to work. You’re highly motivated to make sure, not only that you get back to (the AFC championship) game, but you finish the game in order to get to the Super Bowl.”
The Chiefs fell short of their goal, narrowly missing out on their chance to compete in another Super Bowl. Burton says that he and the rest of his teammates wanted to get to work again the moment the clock struck zero. After taking a step back and now getting back to it in the offseason program, the team has a fresh perspective on what they can do to ensure that they’re playing in Super Bowl LVII in Arizona next February.
“It was a great learning experience,” Burton continued. “The type of guys and coaches that we have in this organization – in this culture – (they) understand that we can do better and we can finish. We’ve taken that to heart this offseason. Guys have been working extremely hard to make sure that we’re on top of every single detail, to make sure that the game is finished and we’re playing in the Super Bowl.”
One of the challenges every year in the NFL is that rosters are rarely left intact. Only seven players who were starters in Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers remain on the Chiefs’ roster this offseason. There is a newness to the group of players who will be out there in 2022. How can all of the new guys in the locker possibly understand the expectations and what it’ll take to compete and win a Lombardi Trophy?
Well, Burton had a unique perspective on that situation because he lived it a season ago.
“I was that new guy last year,” Burton said. “They’d won a Super Bowl (LIV) and they’d been to a Super Bowl (LV), you kind of learn quickly when you get there that the culture is – this is a championship mentality every time you step foot in the building. (The Super Bowl) is the expectation, and you kind of have to fall in line. If you don’t, your time might not last there. Those are the types of guys they want in this organization – championship mindset, mentality guys.”
Beyond the foundation laid by this championship mindset, Burton trusts that the front office is bringing in the right type of guys with the quality of character and work ethic necessary to win. He also knows that all of the new faces will also learn by example, just as he did a year ago in his first season with the Chiefs.
“If you’re coming into that organization, it’s because the coaches and Brett Veach and his staff are bringing the right caliber players that have that mindset,” Burton explained. “Guys that have been here can help explain it or talk to them about what it takes to get there, but it’s also just shown by example. It’s putting in the work every single day. It’s taking the classroom seriously. It’s taking all the phases seriously and just understanding the sacrifice that it takes to be a championship.”
The Chiefs kick off Phase III of the offseason workout program this week, which puts them one step closer to their ultimate goal. The work that the team puts in right now, influenced in many ways by that AFC title game loss, will be pivotal to the outcome of the 2022 NFL season.
Last season the LSU Tigers defense was abysmal, so much so that Ed Orgeron saw enough after one season with Bo Pelini running the show. The head coach decided to go a different route and relieved the former Nebraska head coach of his duties. Daronte Jones comes to Baton Rouge to try and fix what was broken.
Jones will have some elite cornerbacks at his disposal while trying to find playmakers at the other positions. The help could come from a pair of LSU newcomers. One of the bigger additions comes from Clemson in Mike Jones Jr at linebacker. A versatile athlete at linebacker as the team tries to replace the production of Jabril Cox, who is now with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.
Jones started seven games at linebacker last season for Clemson and had 30 total tackles, one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. LSU’s defense could use some experience and the type of ability that Jones possesses at linebacker, and he should be a starter from day one.
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No. 35: Maason Smith, Defensive Tackle
As an early enrollee, Smith has a good chance of playing right away along the defensive line for LSU. The coaching staff is excited about his potential and how he could contribute early on.
Two former LSU Tigers were also among the top 15 with Arik Gilbert at No. 2 and Siaki Ika at No. 17. Gilbert transferred to Georgia while Ika is back with Dave Aranda at Baylor.
Jones comes in to play the strongside linebacker spot in the Daronte Jones defense. He can be a weapon in terms of coverage and tackling in space. Smith looks to break into the rotation at defensive tackle for the LSU interior. The No. 1 recruit for the 2021 LSU class is ready to make his impact felt.
Highlighting the newcomers to the Packers roster as training camp in 2021 begins.
The Green Bay Packers didn’t do much in the form of player acquisition this offseason, but the start of training camp next week will still feature a bunch of fresh faces at the practice fields across from Lambeau Field.
Here are the newcomers to the Packers to start training camp, listed by uniform number:
WR Deandre Thompkins (No. 6): Undrafted free agent from Penn State spent time with the Steelers and Eagles before arriving in May.
QB Kurt Benkert (No. 7): Undrafted free agent passer from Virginia played three years with the Falcons and will now compete for a backup job in Green Bay.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers participates in organized team activities Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis.
WR Amari Rodgers (No. 8): Third-round pick and do-it-all weapon from Clemson could provide a boost as a receiver, runner and returner.
QB Blake Bortles (No. 9): Long-time Jaguars quarterback provides veteran experience for a position with uncertainty at the top.
WR Devin Funchess (No. 11): Veteran pass-catcher opted out of 2020 but is back to compete for a roster spot in 2021.
WR Chris Blair (No. 16): Undrafted free agent produced 931 yards and seven touchdowns during his final season at Alcorn State in 2019.
QB Jake Dolegala (No. 18): Record-setting quarterback at Central Connecticut State spent most of last season with the Patriots.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) is shown during a mandatory minicamp Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.
CB Eric Stokes (No. 21): Rookie first-round pick has the speed and movement ability to compete for playing time right away, even in a deep position group.
CB Shemar Jean-Charles (No. 22): Fifth-round pick was a ball magnet at Appalachian State and could compete for snaps in the slot as a rookie.
RB Kylin Hill (No. 32): Seventh-rounder has the talent as a runner and receiver to be the No. 3 running back in Year 1.
S Innis Gaines (No. 38): Versatile safety prospect from TCU who created disruptive plays but struggled to stay healthy in college.
S Christian Uphoff (No. 40): Standout at Illinois State who impressed at the Senior Bowl but missed the 2020 season due to the pandemic.
TE Bronson Kaufusi (No. 45): Converted defensive lineman is attempting to make the switch to tight end.
LS Joe Fortunato (No. 47): Former Cowboy and Colt was a long snapper for 46 games at Delaware before entering the NFL.
LB Ray Wilborn (No. 57): Converted safety spent time with the Steelers and Falcons after a decorated college career at Ball State.
LB Isaiah McDuffie (No. 58): Sixth-round pick has the athleticism and chase-and-tackle experience to be a core special teams player right away.
Green Bay Packers De’Vondre Campbell (59) and cornerback Stanford Samuels III (46) participate in minicamp practice Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis.
LB De’Vondre Campbell (No. 59): Highly experienced linebacker who is always available and has four straight seasons with 90 or more tackles.
OL Jacob Capra (No. 60): Undrafted free agent started games at left tackle, guard and right tackle over a collegiate career at Oregon and San Diego State.
OL Jon Dietzen (No. 61): Undrafted free agent who played a lot of snaps in Madison at multiple spots along a good offensive line.
OL Coy Cronk (No. 65): Undrafted free agent who started at left tackle but was consistently stung by the injury bug at the collegiate level.
OL Royce Newman (No. 70): Fourth-round pick from Ole Miss played snaps with the starters during the offseason workout program and could be a valuable rookie backup.
Offensive lineman Josh Myers (71) is shown during the second day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Saturday, May 15, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.
OL Josh Myers (No. 71): Second-round pick from Ohio State is the most likely starter at center, replacing Corey Linsley.
OL Cole Van Lanen (No. 78): Sixth-round pick from Wisconsin is a Green Bay native and a candidate to be a backup at tackle or guard in Year 1.
WR Bailey Gaither (No. 80): Undrafted free agent caught 135 passes and scored 18 touchdowns over 44 games at San Jose State.
DL Jack Heflin (No. 90): Undrafted free agent dominated for most of three seasons at Northern Illinois before transferring to Iowa in 2020.
DL T.J. Slaton (No. 93): Fifth-round pick from Florida has an incredible blend of size and athleticism.
OLB Carlo Kemp (No. 98): Undrafted free agent from Michigan has the kind of size and physicality the Packers want at outside linebacker.
