Tre Tucker feels the same way as the quarterback. The wideout, averaging over 13 yards a reception in his career, could see high usage in this offense considering how Kelly spreads the field.
“He’s very good at putting guys in the right spot to succeed,” Tucker said. “I feel like sometimes, people can just put people places and just expect you to run a certain thing, but he’s more of a player’s guy, not a plays guy. So, the players, we make the plays, but he puts us in position to make them.”
With the flexibility Kelly allows his offensive weapons to play with, it starts with the quarterback position. He prides versatility at the position.
The more adaptable his signal-caller can be on the field, the more explosive his play-calling can develop into.
“The beauty of it is that the guy pulling the trigger can run everything,” Kelly said. “So if we’re with Geno and say, ‘Hey, we’d like to do this.’ He can do it. If you want to do that part of the game, whether it be quick game, he can do it, throwing the deep ball, he can do it, throwing the intermediate big balls, he can do that. He’s got so much experience, and to have a veteran quarterback, it’s such a comforting feeling.
“And really, Aidan [O’Connell], who’s got experience, he’s not a rookie,” he added. “In his first two days, he’s been really really sharp. … And for those guys to be able to diagnose, and they’re the point guard. They’re the ones that are pulling the trigger of your play, but to have those guys doing it makes it really easy.”
The offense is bound to become more intricate over the next few weeks of training camp. That’s for all offenses around the league.
The good thing for Kelly and his players is they have a mutual respect and understanding for the ebbs and flows on the horizon.
“They want to be coached. They’re thirsty for knowledge,” Kelly said. “When you go into the meeting room, there’s a little buzz and there’s an excitement. It’s not like, ‘Oh God, we’re in camp. What we do here?’ It’s like, they’re excited. It’s special when you get an opportunity to be on [an] NFL roster, and I think these guys are really taking advantage of it.
“As a coach, it makes it a blast to come in this building every day.”