Rookie receiver on adjusting to life with Chiefs: ‘The playbook is definitely no joke’

Wide receiver Nikko Remigio was one of the undrafted free agents who made it through rookie minicamp and remains on the Chiefs roster.

Remigio talked with KFSN-TV reporter Stephen Hicks about his experiences with the Chiefs so far and noted that he heard from quarterback Patrick Mahomes before joining the team.

“Me and Pat actually have the same agent and Chris Cabott so prior to me even coming out to Kansas City, I had a few text conversations back and forth with Pat on just him kind of briefing me with what to expect and how to prepare and be ready when I got out here,” said Remigio, who played at Fresno State.

“Obviously those guys have been extremely helpful with learning the playbook, understanding defenses and just subtle little details as far as being able to elevate my game and see the game from a different perspective.“

Remigio, who is 5-9 and 183 pounds, caught 74 passes for 852 yards and six touchdowns for the Bulldogs last season.

Taking the field with the Super Bowl champions was a memorable experience.

“I think the first day reporting for rookie minicamp, stepping on the field in general, wearing the Chiefs jersey and being on the Chiefs’ practice field was a pretty surreal moment for me,” Remigio said. “Seeing those guys in the locker room, I’m like, ‘Oh shoot, that’s Patrick Mahomes.’ My locker is two lockers down from Travis Kelce’s, so that was definitely a surreal moment, first getting into the building and being around those guys. But at the end of the day, they’re here for a job, just like myself, and it’s good to be able to work with and learn and be with those guys.”

Remigio was asked about his biggest adjustment to life with an NFL team. He mentioned coach Andy Reid’s playbook.

“The playbook is definitely no joke,” Remigio said. “It lives up to all the hype and there’s a lot to learn. There’s a lot more little nuanced details within an offense that you have to learn. Coming in, for somebody like myself, just trying to add versatility to my game and not be confined to one position.

“I think being able to learn every single receiver position on the field is a challenge in itself, but one that I’m looking forward to and take head on every single day and I’m loving every bit of it. As challenging as it is, I find myself just constantly growing, not only as a football player, but just as a man and I’m extremely grateful to be here.”

Remigio’s goal is to become as versatile as possible.

“My role is getting in anywhere where I can,” Remigio said. “The receiver role isn’t confined to just the slot. It kind of makes learning the playbook a little more challenging because I’m not learning just one position, but I’m learning every position. If my number gets called, my name gets called, I’m ready, I’m prepared.

“I’m obviously learning every receiver position and then, as you said, special teams is a huge component of the game, especially for a guy like myself. Coming into the league as an undrafted guy, I’m going to have to make a name for myself on special teams.”

Here’s the interview.