Andy Reid gives Jeremy Maclin credit for leadership of young wide receivers

The Kansas City Chiefs have a young stable of wide receivers, but Andy Reid gave former Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin credit for leading them well.

From the outside looking in, the Kansas City Chiefs have a weak spot on the roster at wide receiver. It’s a largely untested group with several developmental players, and there’s not a single reliable veteran in the group—not in the way that an Andy Reid offense normally works. Jeremy Maclin is gone, having been released (surprisingly) this summer. There’s not even a Jason Avant sort of figure around. Albert Wilson, with a whole three years experience and having just turned 25-years-old, is the longest tenured veteran in the wideout room.

When asked about the wide receiving corps at training camp on Tuesday, Andy Reid was quick to praise his young group of pass catchers and credited Maclin for their readiness.

"“They’ve done a good job. It looks like they’re on the same page with the quarterbacks. That’s how I evaluated it today. They’re working hard. Jeremy (Maclin) was a great teacher for them. Understand how you practice, how you play and prepare for both practice and games. These guys were lucky to be around him and have that opportunity to learn from him.”"

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Maclin was brought in via free agency in 2015 partially for this very reason. Not only was he immediately the Chiefs best wide receiver by a country mile, but he also knew Andy Reid’s playbook inside and out. His leadership was apparent from the outset and helped implement Reid’s scheme in the film room and on the field. Now that he’s gone, Reid says they’re still seeing the fruit from his leadership.

That’s a good thing for the Chiefs as they move forward as untested players. Tyreek Hill turned heads in the NFL last year, but now he will be shouldering a legitimate load of this offense. DeMarcus Robinson, Jehu Chesson, Seantavius Jones—all three are complete unknowns on the field who have all displayed flashes of solid play this offseason. Chris Conley and Wilson are the two wideouts with the most experience, but there’s not a single receiver on the Chiefs who has had more than 600 rec. yards in a single season.

With Maclin gone, however, these young players will earn plenty of experience, and there’s good reason for hope with Hill in particular, to grow to be a top-tier wideout. Conley has serious potential and the young guys are promising for a reason. Someone has to step up for a team with serious postseason hopes. In the end, Reid will likely remind us to look back and, once again, give Maclin some of the credit.

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