Chris Oladokun is ready to take the next step.
For a backup quarterback with the Kansas City Chiefs, there really isn't a lot of tangible ways to move ahead given the supremacy and shadow of Patrick Mahomes, but the learning curve is always ahead of a studious player like Oladokun and coming into another season with the team—this third—he's ready to provide a challenge in whatever way he can—even if it sounds like a longshot.
Oladokun is saying and doing all of the right things for the Chiefs this offseason as he begins his third training camp with the team. Headed to St. Joseph once again, Oladokun has beaten the odds to be around this long with the team after facing competition every year from at least one other developmental player. And while he has yet to climb above a role as scout team quarterback and practice squad player, he's still as motivated as ever. That's what makes it easy to see what the Chiefs coaches love about his intangibles.
"Every rep is important—good, bad, or indifferent. It’s good to see live color and then go in there and get into the classroom and see and make those corrections. It’s really important for me especially when Pat and Carson come back since those reps get really short. So every rep is critical for me. "
When asked about whether or not he was gunning for the QB2 job currently held by free agent signing Carson Wentz, Oladokun was quick to answer in a recent media session at the start of training camp.
"I mean I shouldn’t be here if my answer is no. I’m always going to come out here and compete no matter who is in the room. Every day I’m trying to beat Pat, Carson, Ian—that’s my job. I’m here to earn my keep. I’m going into year three and in the last three years, I’ve been on the practice squad. There’s a lot of intensity in terms of my work and how I go about things and making sure I put my best foot forward."
That's not to say that Oladokun has anything personal against Wentz. In fact, Oladokun had several positive things to say about the team's most recent addition at quarterback.
"Carson has been great. A pros pro. He’s done everything right: come in, learned from Pat and even myself being here so long now letting him now how we do things day to day. We’re happy to have Carson in."
What will set Oladokun apart this time around might be his level of experience. At this point there should be no surprises in terms of what to expect and the game should have slowed considerably. Given his familiarity with the system and his own improvements to his game—which included working with Mahomes' own coach Jeff Christensen—Oladokun rightfully sounds like a man ready for another competitive summer.
"I went in this offseason and worked with Pat and Jeff Christiansen a lot. I did a lot mechanically with my feet and even the way I was gripping the ball and made a lot of changes that way. I feel a lot more comfortable in the pocket this year than I did last year. I feel like I can make any throw on the field with my arm strength and, obviously, my mobility. So I feel in a really good place heading into this camp."
