ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up 18 days of full-squad training camp on Missouri Western’s campus Thursday.Here are six things we learned about the roster over the last three weeks:1. Patrick Mahomes looks like himselfThanks to strenuous offseason knee rehab — and with help from motivating texts from NFL tight end Zach Ertz — quarterback Patrick Mahomes was cleared fully to participate at the start of training camp.Since then, it’s been difficult to tell he’s only eight months post-surgery. Mahomes went through rollouts, scrambled when needed and even did some of his patented off-balance, twisting throws in drills, making it all but certain he’ll be the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in the season opener against the Denver Broncos.Will he be limited a bit physically? Sure. Those coming off a torn ACL/LCL typically require more than a year to be fully back, and Mahomes acknowledged this setback might be something he’ll be adjusting to the rest of his career.The most important thing so far, though, is Mahomes still looks like himself. In recent weeks especially, the knee and brace he wears haven’t seemed to come to his mind during the most competitive moments, suggesting he’s cleared a significant mental hurdle there.My biggest takeaway from Chiefs training campJesse Newell2. Kenneth Walker III is going to have a different roleThe Chiefs have loved what they’ve gotten out of free agent Kenneth Walker III, as a complete running back and off-field leader.It’s led to one of the most striking parts of training camp: They are getting the ball to Walker all the time.This wasn’t the case for most of his Seattle Seahawks tenure. Walker shared the backfield with Zach Charbonnet, which meant mostly early down work.That won’t be the case with the Chiefs. Coach Andy Reid opened up his screen-game playbook this summer, and Walker has been the primary target, showing strong receiving skills while even flashing occasional one-handed catches.Then in the red zone? Walker has been the main guy again, meaning he should easily eclipse last year’s five-touchdown total if he remains healthy this season.Though the Chiefs often have alternated backs by series in past seasons, that doesn’t appear to be the plan in 2026. Walker should be the workhorse, and he’s primed for a huge year statistically if his body holds up.The addition of running back Kenneth Walker III promises to reinvigorate the Chiefs’ running attack. (Denny Medley / Imagn Images)3. This offense will look differentYou shouldn’t sign Walker if you don’t plan to run the ball more, and the Chiefs have shown a concerted effort in training camp to be more of the downhill team that general manager Brett Veach envisioned back at the NFL combine.Reid has unquestionably run more under-center plays this camp than in any of the last few seasons. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo mentioned last week that his defense was seeing a lot more run plays from the offense this summer, and linebacker Nick Bolton reiterated that sentiment Thursday.“They did a great job,” Bolton said of the offense in practice, “of mixing the run, pass, play-actions.”Reid commented at the end of last year that the team’s lack of an explosive run game hampered its play-action ability. In short, opposing linebackers weren’t coming upfield on run fakes, which made it difficult to create passing lanes in the second level of the defense.Defenses will have to respect Walker, though. That was evident on Walker’s only play of the preseason opener, when Los Angeles Rams linebacker Daniel Rickert bit hard on a run fake that opened up the middle of the field.Reid has faced some questions this offseason, about his offense and his ability to adapt in the modern NFL. Early indications, however, are that the Chiefs spent the offseason examining their flaws and making notable schematic changes as they look to bounce back from a 6-11 season.4. The Chiefs have a big depth concern in one areaWhile most of the offseason talk has centered on the Chiefs’ lack of perceived depth at wide receiver, a different position group appears to be the bigger red flag right now: interior offensive line.The Chiefs have signaled this with their actions when a few guys have been held out of practices because of injuries. Veteran Jaylon Moore and undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson have been competing for the starting right tackle job, but it’s been telling that both have been shuffled to right guard during recent drills — an indication coaches see them as more capable backups inside than roster vets like Mike Caliendo and Hunter Nourzad.Right guard Trey Smith has missed over a week of practices with a back injury, but the good news for the Chiefs is it’s not considered severe and he’s expected back soon. The fact that an injury to any guard or tackle could put the team into immediate scramble mode, though, is not ideal.Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs look to upgrade this spot over the next few weeks.5. One group has stood outReid, a man who typically withholds praise unless someone truly earns it, mentioned Thursday that one of his biggest takeaways from training camp was the growth of the rookies.“I think we made progress. I think it’s the young guys that you’re really looking at,” Reid said. “We have a number of them, and how they progressed — and continue to progress — will be a big part of how this team does.”Chiefs rookie stocks certainly have been up in recent days.No. 6 pick Mansoor Delane is the wild card after missing a lot of on-field reps because of a shoulder injury. Spagnuolo sees those experiences as extremely valuable, so it’s a bit concerning that Delane has been a full-go with the team only over the last week.Still, Delane has come back with confidence. He’s played with physicality and swagger, to the point that the Chiefs might have to ask him to back off a bit on his technique so his “handsiness” doesn’t result in flags early this season.Outside of Delane, there should be a lot of reason for rookie optimism. Some highlights:• First-round defensive tackle Peter Woods flashed early with his speed and quick hands, even if an ankle injury has limited some burst over the last week;• Fifth-round receiver Cyrus Allen was an early camp standout and appears to be gaining Mahomes’ trust;• Fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson impressed during the preseason opener, and his ability to take on tough coaching from offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and running backs coach DeMarco Murray has only helped accelerate his development;• Benson — after getting signed as a tryout player from rookie minicamp — is pushing to be the starter at right tackle and, at worst, will be valuable offensive line depth on a team that needs it.The Chiefs appeared to need an infusion of youth and speed after last year’s disappointing season, and early returns are positive for some of the newbies looking to step into important roles.6. One position looks completely different in ’26The Chiefs looked to model some of the other top NFL defenses this offseason while compiling a rotation of bodies they could use on the defensive line.Veach, to this point, has to be pleased with how that revamp looks.All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones returns as an anchor, but he should have much more help this season. Veteran free agent Khyiris Tonga has had competitive one-on-one battles with four-time Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey in practice — a rare sight in camp that should indicate the floor has been raised with his addition.Edge rusher George Karlaftis, meanwhile, is healthy again after playing with a broken hand last season. Woods has provided juice on the interior in practices, and second-round rookie R Mason Thomas shot around the edge for a pair of pressures in the preseason opener that looked like a different speed from edge rushers of the past.Chiefs 2025 second-round defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott should return at some point after an ACL injury, and 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah has flashed with his best camp as a pro. Ashton Gillotte (foot) is injured with an uncertain timeline at this point, but he joins veteran Emmanuel Ogbah in a group that has both potential and depth.The best-case version of this defense? It would be a unit led by its defensive front and aided by Spagnuolo’s creative blitzing.