Tyreek Hill on Patrick Mahomes as Chiefs’ QB: ‘There’s going to be a whole lot of big plays this year’

Tyreek Hill has more than one reason to be excited about entering his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

For one thing, the receiver’s contributions will expand beyond the electrifying work he does returning kicks. Hill’s incredible speed and elusiveness will be a big part of the Chiefs’ passing game, which is expected to have more long-ball plays now that Patrick Mahomes has replaced Alex Smith at quarterback.

‘You definitely can tell that Pat has the mindset of going deep every play’

For another, Hill loves being paired with another big-play target in newly acquired Sammy Watkins, who spent last season with the Los Angeles Rams after three years with the Buffalo Bills.

“There’s going to be a whole lot of big plays this year, so it’s going to be crazy,” Hill told Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt during the SiriusXM NFL Radio training-camp tour stop at Chiefs camp in St. Joseph, Mo. “That’s got to be the most exciting thing right there, big plays. … You definitely can tell that Pat has the mindset of going deep every play with his arm talent. As a receiver, you be like, ‘Yeah, throw me the ball deep.’ Even if you’re covered, you’re like, ‘Throw me the ball deep, I can beat the guy.’

‘With Alex it’s kind of more like check-down here, check-down there’

“With Pat, he always wants to go deep, but with Alex it’s kind of more of like check-down here, check-down there, rhythm practice. But I don’t mind that at all. We’re going to be good.”

Watkins’ addition has added a whole new dynamic to the Chiefs’ receiving corps. For Hill, who caught 75 passes last season for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns last season, it has the feel of a legendary NBA pairing.

‘I think of the LeBron and DWade combo all the time’

“When I think of us, I think of the LeBron and DWade combo all the time,” Hill said, referring to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade teaming up on the Los Angeles Lakers. “We’re always talking, we’re always trying to outdo each other. We’re always competing. We’re always trying to get the most catches at practice, things like that.

“I think the addition of Sammy’s great. (General Manager Brett) Veach, Coach (Andy) Reid, they understand what’s going on, so that they know that we need big-play threats all over the field. If they’re with it, I’m with it. Let’s ball, baby. Let’s get this thing rolling.”