For Kansas City Chiefs rookie receiver Jalen Royals, he has made quite the impression this offseason, and his efforts at training camp have everyone taking notice.
Sometimes it can be a slow burn for rookies as they enter the NFL landscape with the offensive and defensive playbooks taking time to get their heads around, and Royals is coming to an offense that has Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes orchestrating it.
But as training camp continues, Royals has been like a duck to water, making plays consistently day in and day out, and that is with the first-team as well. So, he’s making waves, and the connection he and Mahomes already have is on show repeatedly.
But how has that relationship developed so quickly?
“Just leaning on him leaning on me and me just trusting in him,” Royals said. “Definitely that, and just learning from him and do what he says, honestly.”
With the Chiefs’ offense struggling to get the ball down the field last year, Royals and his 4.42 speed, along with Xavier Worthy’s blistering pace, Mahomes now has two genuine home-run threats.
Of course, it is still early in the offseason program, so Royals has to keep stacking days to prove he is deserving of a spot on the final roster, but he’s making good progress, he’s just got to maintain it.
It has been a whirlwind time for Royals, but he’s taking everything in his stride as he looks to make an immediate impact in his first season.
And when you have Mahomes and Reid as your quarterback/play-caller duo, yeah, you’ve got a good shot.
