Jesse Newell
@jessenewell
Chiefs beat writer for The Athletic. jnewell@theathletic.com
Patrick Mahomes said Zach Ertz was a big motivator during his knee rehab. So how did that unlikely bond start? I spoke to Ertz about the texts he sent Mahomes, the toughest days, what he's learned about the Chiefs QB — and his own comeback story for 2026 (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/751...
A deeper dive on new Chiefs RB Ken Walker III, the reasons he's impressed so far and why he has Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes dreaming big (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
More on Chiefs' Travis Kelce, the best night of his life and how he feels physically ahead of his 14th season (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...
More on the Chiefs' standout from the first day in pads — and why it matters
More on how rookie Peter Woods flashed at the Chiefs' first padded practice (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Chiefs camp standout continues to shine, plus other updates from Friday (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Two quick things we learned about Patrick Mahomes and his knee from early Chiefs practices
Story on what Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes said today about Mahomes getting fully cleared for practices starting this week (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...
Here’s a fresh look at each Chiefs position group — with one looming question about each (free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
Early takeaways from the Chiefs' 2026 draft class (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...
The best player fits for Chiefs as they enter NFL Draft round 2 (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...
My final Chiefs Big Board, with players who could make sense for the Chiefs in each round (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
Our final beat writer mock draft at @theathletic.com. These were my selections for the Chiefs at 9 and 29 (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
With help from "The Beast" ... let's find the Chiefs a WR in the upcoming NFL Draft (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
Chiefs depth chart analysis: Here are the positions KC must address in the upcoming NFL Draft (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...
Khyiris Tonga dropped his head, then laughed twice, breaking character during an introductory media conference. Yes, he knew all about Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III. And exactly how the Chiefs are going to benefit from having him (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
Quick thoughts on the Trent McDuffie trade and what it means for the Chiefs
More on what I heard about the Chiefs at last week's NFL combine (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...
5 offseason questions for the Chiefs ... and a priority they should have on Day 1 of free agency: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Go back in Andy Reid's past, and he's been through a year like this before. More on a newspaper headline from 19 years ago today, two KC doppelgangers and a close AFC rival. All could give the Chiefs some hope their season isn't done: www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
The good news for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? KC has a couple of factors working in its favor as it tries to resurrect its playoff odds. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Even before taking questions on Monday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid made this much clear: He expects the Chiefs to make a push for the playoffs. www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Patrick Mahomes has been the Chiefs' starting quarterback in Mexico, Germany and Brazil. But he's never been that in the NFL stadium he went to as a kid. More on what Thursday's game will mean to him: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
What are the Chiefs saying ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Colts? More on that, and also the hand motion Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes both used at their press conference this week.
In the Chiefs locker room, a teammate tried to lift the spirits of Patrick Mahomes. It didn't last long. More on the KC QB who — intentionally — kept changing one word in his postgame press conference. And the reality that he knows is ahead: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
