Tedric Thompson says Chiefs run a ‘workaholic camp’

New safety Tedric Thompson says the Chiefs run a “workaholic” training camp.

A couple weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs decided to bring in an additional veteran safety to compete in training camp with the signing of Tedric Thompson to a single-season deal in free agency. On Friday, the Chiefs provided the media with their first chance to meet Thompson and hear more about his arrival.

Thompson gives the Chiefs another experienced safety who comes from a winning franchise in Seattle, one with a dynamic quarterback in Russell Wilson and a well-respected head coach in Pete Carroll. When asked about the difference, Thompson had praise for his former team but several key insights into his new team.

"“Them boys work in Seattle, no doubt about it,” said Thompson. “Andy Reid‘s camp is just different. From the tempo to the speed, on the offense, you’re going against Tyreek Hill, going against all receivers who run 4.2s, 4.1s it feels like.“The practice is so up-tempo. You’re running from one spot to another. So I think that’s the biggest thing. The guys here go about their business. They’re about a second [championship]. That’s the biggest difference. This camp is a workaholic camp.”"

Thompson was the fourth round pick of the Seattle Seahawks back in the 2017 NFL Draft and rose up the team’s depth chart to become the starter at free safety. However it was clear Seattle was ready to upgrade and move on when they gave Thompson a chance to seek out a trade before his release. A shoulder injury and subsequent surgery help pave his way out of town.

Thompson did say that his shoulder is healthy that he stayed busy, noting “every single day I was in rehab.”

The Chiefs have a solid safety core of Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Armani Watts, and Dan Sorensen already, but Thornhill is coming off of a season-ending injury himself and he’s still physically not ready to practice. In addition, the cornerback position could be thin and demand more of Mathieu’s presence, which invites Thompson into the mix—a unit that’s filled with guys who Thompson says “genuinely love the game.”

"“Every kid and everybody playing football always looks up to guys,” said Thompson. “When I was in high school, I used to look up to a lot of different safeties: Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and I remember the first time I saw T5 [Tyrann Mathieu] play at LSU, guys who you could tell love the game.“I love the game a lot. I’ve been playing since I was six or seven years old. The first time I put on pads, I was seven.  I look up to the guys who love that atmosphere and bring that love for the game and T5 is no different.“The same when I started meeting Breezy [Bashaud Breeland] and Mooney [Charvarius Ward] and Dan. Every human being is different or whatever, but at the end of the day, they all genuinely love the game.”"

Thompson played in 29 games over three seasons in Seattle, making 16 starts for the Seahawks in that span.