By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-10 22:06:08 | Updated at 2026-08-10 22:26:34
23 minutes ago
Patrick Mahomes was left both confused and enraged on the sideline as a college rivalry spilled onto the Chiefs practice field in training camp.
The 7-on-7 portion of Monday's practice ended with a flashpoint as undrafted free agent safety Xavier Nwankpa delivered an enormous hit on a fellow rookie, running back Emmett Johnson. The brutal clothesline sent Johnson horizontal at impact before he took a hard fall onto his back and was helped up by a teammate.
The hit quickly generated attention online given the history between their schools. Nwankpa attended Iowa, while Johnson played for their arch rivals Nebraska. And while that historic rivalry manifested itself among now-teammates, Chiefs quarterback Mahomes was seemingly unimpressed.
According to Arrowhead Pride, Mahomes could be heard across the field shouting from the sideline: 'What the [expletive] are we doing?'.
Johnson, a fifth-round pick in the NFL Draft after being named Big Ten Running Back of the Year, suffered three losses against Nwankpa and Iowa. But he had huge games in his sophomore and junior seasons against the Hawkeyes, including a 217-yard rushing performance last year in a game where Nwankpa registered five tackles.
Both players are fighting to make the Chiefs' 53-man roster during training camp, with three preseason games ahead, starting against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.
Patrick Mahomes was overhead reacting to a violent hit in Chiefs training camp
Emmett Johnson was clotheslined by a college rival in a huge training camp hit
Johnson has seen his work ethic praised by head coach Andy Reid and outlined his willingness to take on special teams responsibilities if it helps him make the team.
'That's how you get on the field, man,' he said in a press conference on July 26.
'That's how you help the team win. If I'm not a starter, I want to go out and help on kick returns, punt returns, whatever it takes to help the team.
'That's bigger than anything to me. I take big pride in helping the game in all phases, and special teams can make or break a game.'
Nwankpa is looking to carve out a role on Steve Spagnuolo's defense and said he is 'Just trying to take advantage of any reps I can get.
'Young guy, undrafted guy, I'm just trying to go out there when I get my number called and go make some plays and just capitalize on those opportunities; that's all I can ask for.'
Xavier Nwankpa (No.29) is fighting to make the Chiefs roster
Mahomes has been cleared for the new season after tearing his ACL
Meanwhile, Mahomes is expected to sit out a preseason game entirely for the first time in his NFL career against the Rams as he continues to work back up to full speed after tearing his ACL last season.
Mahomes has made a remarkable recovery and been fully cleared by doctors for training camp, but the Chiefs remain understandably cautious with the health of their franchise quarterback.
'I mean, there's a pretty good chance where I don't play him,' Reid said of Mahomes last week. '[The] percentages are leading that way. I don't know if I'll play him in the second or third game. I don't know that. The percentages probably lean against not doing that.'
Mahomes admitted last month: 'I'm a competitor, so [on] game day, I'm going to want to be out there.
'But I understand the process of getting myself ready to play in the regular season is more important. We'll see. The coaches and doctors will make that decision for me, but I'll prepare myself like I'm going to play.'
