Kansas City Chiefs fans are used to hearing a reminder to keep their expectations low for NFL rookies. Whether it's the fact that the Chiefs are always picking last these days or that Andy Reid's offense is tough to learn or that the team is deep and doesn't give a lot of reps away to unproven players, the reasons are many but the reality remains true all the same.
For Chiefs tight end Jared Wiley, who was selected in the fourth round of this year's NFL Draft out of TCU, those hurdles haven't gotten in the way in the past few years and he's ready to lean in once again.
"I’ve had to learn five different offenses in college so this is my sixth one in six years," said Wiley in a post-draft media session—his first with the Chiefs. It’s part of my normal routine now, I guess. I don’t think I’ll have much trouble with it.
Jared Wiley joked with reporters this week and said learning a new offense is now part of his regular routine.
Those six seasons for WIley include three years with the Texas Longhorns, during which time he went through two head coaches and three offensive coordinators, before finding a path to Texas Christian where further changes occurred. It's to his credit that he fared well enough to become drafted despite the changes.
Suffice it to say, the coaching continuity of the Chiefs has to look pretty good to Wiley coming into the NFL.
Wiley said the Chiefs' coaches have been on him to learn the playbook and various positions early. "As far as the coaches go, it’s just get in here and learn the offense as fast as possible and to be a key contributor on the team, whether that’s special teams, offense, whatever they ask me to do.
"My expectations of myself are basically that. I want to come in here. I want to get comfortable. I want to learn the brand and style of football that they play here in Kansas City. I want to be able to do that to the best of my ability."
Learning a new offense can prove challenging, but Wiley said the ultimate shift was having to go from being a high school quarterback to tight end when he made the leap to college football. "I’d never really experienced college football and then they said, ‘Hey, you’re gonna go play tight end,’ so that was a little bit different," said Wiley with a laugh. "A lot of run-blocking drills, a lot of practice went into it."
Wiley said he did anticipate learning from Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce down the road, but for now he's focused on these first few steps as a pro as rookie minicamp got underway.
"I’m planning on being able to see him soon. Right now, it’s just getting in and learning the offense as much as possible and get as comfortable as possible right now before I have to worry about a whole bunch of other stuff down the road."