Aug. 6, 2016; St. Joseph, MO; Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt visited the team’s training camp practice on Saturday. (Credit: Photo used with permission by Chiefs PR, KCChiefs.com)
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt attended Chiefs training camp on Saturday, and he set high expectations for this year’s team as well as coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey.
“We do think we have a team that can compete for a championship and that’s what the guys are about – they’re out here working hard trying to do that,” Hunt said.
“I think this is the most complete team we’ve had since Andy and John have been here.”
Hunt survey of his team was missing some critical pieces. One is safety Eric Berry, who has yet to report to camp after failing to come to terms on a new contract. Berry is slated to play this season under the franchise tag.
“We were disappointed to not be able to reach a long-term contract with Eric,” Hunt said. “He’s somebody we think very highly of. He’s been a great player on the field. He does so much in the community. He’s a team leader.”
Hunt said he wants to sign Berry to a new long-term contract after the season.
“As soon as we have an opportunity next year, we’ll sit down with his representatives and see if we can work out a scenario where he can finish his career here,” he said.
Also missing from practice are defensive Pro Bowl linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Both players are currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Hunt believes the team can whether the storm until the due is back on the field.
“I think we’re fortunate to have some very talented players behind them,” he explained. “We also have a talented defensive line that we think can get after the quarterback. So no doubt that we’ll be better when Tamba and Justin are back. But you know we feel good about it in the interim.”
Hunt turned serious when discussing one of the team’s most controversial moves — the selection of wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the NFL draft. Hill pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge in August 2015.
“Domestic violence is a very serious issue and it’s never okay,” Hunt said. “I knew there would be people who would be concerned about it. I also felt confident that John and his staff had done a very good job of evaluating Tyreek and thought that he could come in here and fit in with the team and fit in with this community.”
Hunt said it’s up to Hill to take advantage of opportunity given to him to play with the Chiefs and be a part of the Kansas City community.
“In the three months that he’s been here, he’s done everything that’s been asked of him,” Hunt said.
