The Kansas City Chiefsā second-year wide receiver Nikko Remigio has been a fan favorite during training camp and the preseason but has only rarely been able to showcase his talents in the regular season.
Thatās about to change. After clinching the AFCās top postseason seed, the Chiefs will be resting some of their starters in the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos this Sunday. It will be a perfect opportunity for reserve players like Remigio to get extended playing time.
āIām excited about the game plan that we have going in,ā Remigio told reporters after Fridayās practice. āIām definitely going to get a little bit more opportunities out there this week ā and Iām excited for the challenge.ā
Remigio initially signed with the Chiefs in 2023 as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State ā but unfortunately, a wrist injury sidelined him for his entire rookie season. In his second year, he turned heads with standout performances throughout training camp and the preseason.
Signed to the Kansas City practice squad after the final roster cutdown, he was promoted to the 53-man roster on Dec. 7. Since then, Remigio has primarily served as a kick returner ā but on Sunday, heāll get a real chance to prove himself on offense.
ā[Even though] Iām not really getting reps with the offense, Iāve got to approach each week like Iām preparing for a game,ā Remigio explained. āItās kind of like preparing for the test before you get to the test. Now that the test is here, I can truly say that I feel prepared.ā
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has repeatedly praised Remigio ā most recently on Friday.
āHe got a couple [of offenisve] snaps in last week,ā noted Reid. āHeās been doing the return stuff ā [and heās] doing a nice job with it. Heās reliable [and] he knows everything [for] all the positions. Heās quick, smart [and] fast.ā
Remigio will have an advantage in this game because backup quarterback Carson Wentz will be starting in place of Patrick Mahomes. The two players have spent plenty of time developing a connection.
āOur chemistry has been developing since OTAās,ā Remigio said of Wentz. āIāve gotten a lot of work with him since the spring, in camp and throughout the season on [the] scout team. Now that weāre out here running the offense, running the plays that we know on our timing, heās slinging that thing.
āIām excited for him to get this opportunity. I canāt believe that heās a backup right now because [of] the way he throws the ball out there; he definitely should be a starter somewhere. Iām excited for him and this opportunity ā and Iām going to help him out in every way that I can.ā