Justyn Ross making an impression at Chiefs camp. Here’s what Mahomes, Reid have seen
The catch was important, but so was the context.
When Chiefs receiver Justyn Ross came down with a deep sideline throw from Patrick Mahomes during 7-on-7 drills Wednesday, it continued a strong start to camp for the second-year wideout from Clemson.
The opportunity there shouldn’t go overlooked, either. Ross was rotating into first-team snap with Mahomes at quarterback. He also caught the pass while going against cornerback Joshua Williams, who figures to push for a starting role this season.
While Ross is not getting every first-team rep at receiver — Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore have had those positions locked down — he’s also getting noticeable run with the team’s best players.
The Chiefs have certainly paid close attention to Ross’ production thus far. That includes Mahomes and coach Andy Reid, who praised Ross for his training camp work following Wednesday’s practice.
“He’s done a nice job. He had a good offseason. And then he worked his tail off here,” Reid said. “He just needs to keep doing that. It’s how you answer the bell every day and push through it. But he’s got the right mindset to do that.”
Mahomes, when asked about Ross’ camp to this point, said he’d “had a good one.”
“Learning the offense fast. You can tell he’s been going in the offense for a year now,” Mahomes said. “Obviously making big plays, and he’s getting more and more involved in those first-team reps. And so, a guy that I have a lot of hope for that he can be a really good player in this offense.”
Ross’ climb is particularly noteworthy given his past.
The 6-foot-4 receiver initially drew buzz as one of the league’s most fascinating 2022 undrafted free agents after flashing huge potential at Clemson before injuries marred his draft stock. He also had previous surgery to address a congenital fusion in his spine, and after sitting out a year, his production at Clemson fell partly because he played most of the season through a stress fracture in his foot.
He signed with the Chiefs last season before being placed on injured reserve (for foot surgery) in July.
It made for a productive but frustrating year for Ross, who remained in the team facility to learn the offense even if he couldn’t help the Chiefs on the field during their Super Bowl run.
“Obviously, it was a little pain for me, because I wanted to be out there playing,” Ross said Wednesday. “I already had a year off before then, so it was a little pain. But it was a great experience (to be with the team) for sure.”
Though Ross was limited during summer practices at the team facility, he’s been a full-go during training camp at Missouri Western’s campus the last two weeks. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said last week that, even though Ross is tall, at 6-foot-4, his route-running has been one of his greatest strengths.
“Now physically coming out here and doing what we said (in film sessions) is learning his timing,” Nagy said last week. “For Pat (Mahomes) to understand how he runs routes, and for him to understand how to run the routes. It’s gonna be immense growth for him in a good way.”
When asked what he thought he could bring to the Chiefs, Ross said he was an “explosive dude, tall dude. Go get a jump ball, run pretty good routes. I feel like I can bring a lot to the table.”
Though Mahomes hasn’t utilized contested-catch receivers as much as other quarterbacks in recent years, Ross said he mostly just wanted to provide his QB a reliable option.
“I feel like if you’re open, he’s gonna get it to you for sure,” Ross said. “So that’s what I’m gonna try to do, just create separation and keep playing.”
Ross, perhaps more than any other Chiefs player, has received social media hype during the last two years of offseason workouts. The Chiefs have often posted impressive practice catches that have gone viral, which has only increased the buzz about the ability he might have.
For his part, Ross said he’s tried to keep himself separated from the hoopla. He said Wednesday that he is no longer active on Twitter, looking to block out noise while focusing on what’s important.
“I just stay day by day,” Ross said. “Just make sure I keep stacking good days, and whatever the future brings, I’ll be ready for it.”
A significant milestone looms, as in 10 days, Ross figures to get plenty of snaps in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Officially, it will have been 638 days — or one year and nine months — since Ross last played in a game when he was a redshirt junior at Clemson.
“Very excited, man,” Ross said. “I’m ready to go out there, take some hits, and hopefully just have a great game and win the game.”
This story was originally published August 3, 2023 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Justyn Ross making an impression at Chiefs camp. Here’s what Mahomes, Reid have seen."
