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Jesse Newell

Jesse Newell

@jessenewell.bsky.social

960 followers 84 following 98 posts

Chiefs beat writer for The Athletic. [email protected]

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Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 5h

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice said his 2nd TD against the Raiders was the product of the work he and Patrick Mahomes put in this offseason: www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 1d

It turns out Patrick Mahomes' trick play vs. the Raiders required practice time. And communication. Oh, and a teammate stopping himself from laughing.

Here's the backstory of Mahomes going Hollywood — and the 6 words everyone heard on CBS's broadcast:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

The backstory of Patrick Mahomes’ trick play vs. Raiders: ‘That was hilarious’

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes faked out the Raiders — and CBS broadcasters — with his acting skills. Here's what happened.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 3d

What Chiefs' Rashee Rice said today about his impending return this weekend: www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice on what he’s learned as he returns from suspension, injury

Rice is set to make his return to the lineup against the Las Vegas Raiders following a six-game NFL suspension to start the season.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 4d

Head into the Chiefs' locker room, and one thing stands out immediately about the team's WR group.

Coaches say it's hard to miss as well:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

Why Chiefs’ receivers room is different this season: ‘It’s something that’s special’

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says part of the team's offensive success can be traced to his receivers' unselfishness.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 8d

One (non-fight) topic dominated talk in the Chiefs’ locker room — with Patrick Mahomes tweeting about it as well.

It’s time to stretch the imagination for what’s possible with these Chiefs.

“Everybody’s been waiting for it. It’s what the hype is about.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 12d

Chiefs' Chris Jones didn’t hustle on final play vs. Jaguars. He addressed it head-on Thursday: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Chiefs’ Chris Jones loafed on final play vs. Jaguars. He addressed it head-on Thursday

Jones said he thought Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was down on the game-winning play. The teaching lesson he'll take away is "Don't stop."

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 12d

The Chiefs are 2-3. And they're not interested in moral victories, either.

But look under the hood, and the advanced numbers are screaming a few things about a KC team still trying to find its way:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

The Kansas City Chiefs are 2-3. Here are the signs they’ll turn it around

Sportsbooks still love the Chiefs. That's just one reason to think better days could be ahead for Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the team.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 14d

Some context for Chris Jones’ final play vs. Jaguars: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Why wasn’t Chiefs’ Chris Jones hustling on Jaguars’ final TD? His words provide some clues

Jones deactivated his social media accounts Tuesday after drawing criticism for "standing and watching" on the game-deciding play.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 14d

Here's what Chiefs' Chamarri Conner said about a late flag against him — and what the Chiefs believe has been missing during a 2-3 start that's beginning to defy the odds: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

What Chiefs said after loss to Jaguars — and what’s been missing during 2-3 start

Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner described his viewpoint of a late defensive pass-interference call, one of 13 K.C. penalties.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 15d

Andy Reid says one of his offensive linemen was "on fire" last week against the Ravens.

Here's more on his development, and the reason — from a year ago — he says he's fueled to continue his rise:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Chiefs say Kingsley Suamataia was ‘on fire.’ It’s one of K.C.’s best developments

The Chiefs' second-year offensive lineman says memories from a challenging rookie season have been the fuel for his quick rise in 2025.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 18d

Patrick Mahomes is pulling off a rare feat: He's playing riskier while avoiding the typical consequences.

More on a Mahomes offseason vow to his WRs — and how the Chiefs QB has followed through:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is playing riskier football. Here’s why it’s working

Here's how the Chiefs are playing with more fire on offense — while still avoiding the burn.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 20d

It's time to take stock of the Chiefs through 4 weeks:
• Is KC better or worse than expected?
• Best development
• Updated playoff and Super Bowl odds
• What Andy Reid has learned about his team:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Chiefs’ outlook after 4 games: Breakout player, best development and updated odds

The Kansas City Chiefs' playoff and Super Bowl chances have shifted over the first four weeks.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 22d

This felt different. And Chiefs players in the postgame locker room could sense it as well.

More on a breakthrough offensive effort for the Chiefs — and how 2 players returning this week (including one who didn't play) helped change all the vibes.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Why Chiefs’ win vs. Ravens felt different. And how 2 players changed the vibe

Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt had the best kind of flashback after Sunday's win because the offense was humming.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 25d

Chiefs' Travis Kelce spoke today about the sideline incident between him and Andy Reid: "I love that guy, man." www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce says heated exchange with Andy Reid vs. Giants is no big deal: ‘I love that guy’

"I love that guy, man," Kelce said about the confrontation with Reid on the sidelines of Sunday's game versus the Giants.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 25d

Lamar Jackson earned an ESPY vs. the Chiefs. But he didn't score an 82-yard TD.

The reason for that remains in Drue Tranquill's home as one of his favorite mementos.

More on Lamar, KC, and what it's like to face a QB who is '1 of 1' with what he does:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Chiefs’ Drue Tranquill has daily reminder of Lamar Jackson’s ability. It sits in his house

The Ravens' quarterback won an ESPY for a play against the Chiefs in 2024. Tranquill is the reason it wasn't a touchdown.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 26d

More on an offseason change Patrick Mahomes vowed to make — and the QB he's become since: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes vowed to make a change. He’s been a different QB since

Mahomes has reversed a years-long trend this season. The work started in the offseason.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · 29d

Here's the reason Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton pointed to the sky after his big catch Sunday night:: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

How Tyquan Thornton went from castoff to Chiefs savior vs. Giants

A forgotten man on the practice squad 10 months ago, Thornton was the Chiefs' WR1 on "Sunday Night Football" in the Meadowlands.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Jesse Newell

Dianna Russini @diannarussini.bsky.social · Sep 20

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy is not expected to play Sunday night against the Giants, per source.

Worthy (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis this week, but his return will have to wait.

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · Sep 19

The Chiefs usually have an easy button with Andy Reid’s offense. It vanished last week: www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

Chiefs usually have an easy button with Andy Reid’s offense. It vanished last week

The Chiefs, in one stat, had their worst day in Patrick Mahomes' 134 starts in their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · Sep 18

“In my eyes, it’s like, what an opportunity."

How Patrick Mahomes is processing Chiefs' 0-2 start — and what he wants to see next:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

How Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is processing 0-2 start — and what he wants to see next

With the Chiefs off to an uncharacteristically slow start, Mahomes wants to see them prove they can take on a new role against the Giants.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Jesse Newell

Mike Sansone @mikesansone.bsky.social · Sep 15

“I am done with the tush push, guys.”

Fox rules analyst Dean Blandino isn't alone. Missed false-start calls on Sunday may have moved the endangered play closer to extinction. From @jaynabardahl.bsky.social and @jessenewell.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Tush push criticism returns after missed false-start calls in Eagles' win over Chiefs

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · Sep 15

More Reid on tush-push: "I felt like (Eagles) guys were moving. That's why I was griping about it on the sideline there with the officials. But sometimes people see things different. So we'll see where it goes. They'll have a chance to evaluate it, and I'll be curious to see what the response is."

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · Sep 15

Chiefs coach Andy Reid on if he'd like to see any rule-enforcement changes if the tush push is going to remain an NFL play: "Yeah, I think you know the answer to it. If guys are moving early, then you've got to call that. So they'll go back and look at that and see what their evaluation is of it."

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · Sep 15

One Chiefs teammate walked with Travis Kelce to the locker room. He then offered 3 words of encouragement.

Here's more on the critical drop from KC's team leader — and why his teammates say an 0-2 start won't be the final narrative for this season:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

What the Chiefs said about Travis Kelce’s drop. And why there’s still hope at 0-2

Defensive end George Karlaftis had Kelce's back after the game and said this team will "find a way to find a way."

www.nytimes.com

Jesse Newell @jessenewell.bsky.social · Sep 13

The Chiefs defense believes it'll show improvement this week. And the road to get there started with a postgame mea culpa: www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

Chiefs defense believes it’ll be better Week 2. It started with an apology

The Chargers' pass game exposed the Chiefs in two specific areas. Will K.C. be able to fix things this week against the Philadelphia Eagles?

www.nytimes.com