The Kansas City Chiefs have spent most of training camp to this point in the same position they were in for much of last season -- at least a couple of pass-catchers short of a viable position group at wide receiver.
However, that has opened the door for a young player to shine in recent days and potentially solve a depth concern without spending in free agency to aid returning quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Head Coach Andy Reid on Wednesday spoke glowingly of 25-year-old wideout Andrew Armstrong, who is technically still a rookie despite joining the NFL for a short stint with the Detroit Lions' practice squad in 2025 as an undrafted rookie prospect out of Arkansas.
Andy Reid on WR Andrew Armstrong:
— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) August 5, 2026
“Looks like the quarterback trusts him — both of them. They trust him on his route running. He's got good speed for a big kid, good transition — he's not stiff coming out of breaks.” pic.twitter.com/NYfRTzo6sD
Andrew Armstrong also made impression earlier in Chiefs' offseason program amid injuries to position group
Armstrong came on early during offseason workouts, according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic.
"Armstrong got a lot of 1s reps today with Rashee Rice still sitting out live periods while in ramp-up mode with his knee," Newell wrote on July 30. "Armstrong had a good summer and should be a top name to watch for end of WR room."
Rice returned to 11-on-11 work earlier this week following months on the sideline in some capacity due to knee surgery. However, just as Rice started getting back to himself, Xavier Worthy suffered another shoulder injury and has missed multiple practices because of it.
The other young receiver whom Reid has dubbed trustworthy in the eyes of Mahomes and QB2 Justin Fields is Cyrus Allen. However, the fifth-round rookie is also currently injured, as he battles a bone bruise in his leg.
Kansas City's pass-catching depth and top-end talent are both question marks, with Travis Kelce leading the tight end room as he approaches his 14th NFL campaign and his 37th birthday in October.
The Chiefs were linked to WR Jauan Jennings before he inked a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this summer, while Stefon Diggs could have also made sense before he signed with the Washington Commanders earlier this week. Kayshon Boutte remains a quality trade target for the New England Patriots, and Tyreek Hill is still waiting to sign a new deal.
The pool of free agent options at the position is shrinking, which means that Armstrong's development could prove even more important to Kansas City as the regular season approaches, regardless of the health statuses at the top of the receiver room.
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