Chiefs Rookie R Mason Thomas Reveals His NFL Mentor

The Kansas City Chiefs are holding their rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday.

Between their seven 2026 NFL Draft picks, several signed undrafted free agents, and a slew of unsigned invitees, there will be 105 players taking part in total.

This is a chance for the rookies to show what they got before the Chiefs’ entire roster gathers for OTAs later this month. Before they hit the practice field, a handful of Kansas City’s draft picks spoke to the media, including second-rounder R Mason Thomas.

Kansas City Chiefs Rookie DE R Mason Thomas Discusses Influence Nik Bonitto Has Had on His Football Journey

Thomas and Bonitto missed playing with each other at Oklahoma by one year. Bonitto was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft after a four-year collegiate career with the Sooners. Thomas arrived at Oklahoma as a true freshman in 2022.

While talking to the media Friday, Thomas revealed Bonitto was a major influence on him going to Oklahoma, and that he has helped him develop his game.

“He definitely was a big influence,” Thomas said of Bonitto. “The Lord led me to Oklahoma, but he was also one of the reasons I went to [Oklahoma]. I ask him all the time about different things he looks at, like what he does to help his pass rush, what he focuses on. He’s not a big guy, so we don’t necessarily have to look at the power. But he also shows us how you use power.”

Many experts had Bonitto as Thomas’ pro comparison during the pre-draft process. Bonitto is listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, and Thomas at 6-foot-2 and 241 pounds. Both have a very quick first step off the line of scrimmage and often beat opposing offensive linemen with speed. They also play bigger than what they are, possessing underrated strength.

The similarities don’t stop there. Bonitto recorded 18.5 sacks in 40 games with Oklahoma, and Thomas racked up 17 in 42 games. During their last two seasons, Bonitto put up 15 sacks, and Thomas got 15.5. They were also both drafted in the second round by AFC West teams. Thomas will look to mirror Bonitto’s NFL production, as Bonitto has posted 27.5 sacks over his last two years with the Broncos, earning two Pro Bowl nods.

Chiefs Need More out of Their Pass Rush in 2026

Kansas City ranked 25th in the NFL in sacks last season with just 35. For comparison, it ranked second in 2023 with 57, as well as in 2022 with 55. The Chiefs are banking on Thomas and first-round pick DT Peter Woods to give their pass rush a boost. Woods should help open things up for star DT Chris Jones, while Thomas does the same for DE George Karlaftis.

Thomas went on to describe how he thinks his skills will help the Chiefs’ pass rush.

“That’s the most important thing about my game, is getting off the ball,” Thomas said. “You got to rep it. Track kind of helped me with that, too. How to start this dance, what does it look like, and the coaches, too. It’s not like college, but wherever the defense wants me to play, at the end of the day it’s football. The majority is the same.”

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