The Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason program is well underway, and the defending AFC champs are putting their rookie class, along with other younger players, through their paces.

While this is the voluntary part of the offseason, it is often viewed as one of the most crucial for rookies and second-year players to stand out from the crowd and secure a starting role.

Granted, that is easier said than done, but it is an important first step in the journey to becoming a fully-fledged NFL player, and it begins with learning the playbook and what is expected on and off the field.

And this young group has already taken it all in their stride.

“So some of it is a retention part of it, and then you get a chance to see skill,” head coach Andy Reid said of his rookie class. “Now, normally, they’re kind of crawling before they walk and walk before they run, they’re in that phase, so they might not be as fast as what you’re going to see once you get to camp. Still, they’re doing a nice job.”

With a rookie class that will be tasked with helping the Chiefs bounce back from the horror Super Bowl loss, the likes of Josh Simmons, Omarr Norman-Lott, Ashton Gillotte, Jalen Royals, and Brashard Smith will need to develop into play-makers for Reid and Co.

Offseason workouts, or the underwear Olympics as they are famously known as, give rookies a chance to get to know the program and their teammates before training camp begins.

It is often a whirlwind couple of months for rookies, but one thing is for certain in this opening phase: this group is making Reid stand up and take notice.