The Chiefs would love to get Cyrus Allen on the field in a meaningful way, but the rookie receiver is still working through a steep learning curve.
Allen flashed in training camp and had plenty of people thinking he might be ready to help right away. But as Jesse Newell of The Athletic explained, that kind of leap is a lot to ask from a first-year wideout.
A recent example came against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, when Allen turned back to quarterback Patrick Mahomes for more instruction. Mahomes told him to “get his eyes up” and watch the coverage, a small reminder of how much detail the job demands. Allen’s assignment is not just to run around and catch passes; he also has to help the other receivers create space.
That workload has made it tough for him to carve out steady snaps. Allen did haul in an 18-yard catch against Seattle, which was the biggest gain among the secondary receivers, but fans have still been left wondering why his role has not grown faster.
Coach Andy Reid has made it clear the Chiefs are spoon feeding Allen right now. There is still a lot for him to absorb, and Newell noted that even something as specific as knowing when to turn his head during a route is one of many details he has to get right.
The challenge is bigger than one assignment or one route. Allen has been asked to learn 30-40 plays with multiple installs, and the amount of information can pile up quickly. He also has to understand not just his own job, but the entire picture of the play and the concept behind it.
Kansas City’s offense makes that even more demanding. The Chiefs can run the same play call from different looks and formations to create deception, which means receivers have to recognize the variation and respond correctly every time.
Then there’s the mechanics of it all: lining up properly, running the right motion, and adjusting to Mahomes’ timing. That timing can change based on the protection he calls, which adds another layer for a rookie to process.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said “volume” is the biggest issue for receivers in Allen’s situation. The Chiefs move their receivers around a lot, and there is specific language that tells them where they need to go.
For Allen, it all comes down to taking things step by step. He’s been showing up early every day before practice to work with receivers coach Chad O’Shea, and his long-term goal is to fill the role of injured receiver Tyquan Thornton. For now, though, the Chiefs are treating it like what it is: a process.
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