The Kansas City Chiefs played only one game since defeating the Baltimore Ravens in last season’s AFC championship: Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.

But when the two teams meet on Thursday night in the NFL season opener at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, a lot will be different – ​​starting with the absence of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire behind starter Isiah Pacheco. Behind him will be undrafted rookie Carson Steele – and behind him will be the experienced Samaje Perine, who joined the team just last week.

“It’s one of those next-man-up mentalities that we all talk about — but this is real,” Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy noted while speaking to reporters on Monday. “I think the guys have done a great job all training camp. Pacheco has done a phenomenal job of understanding his role. And then (with) these other guys — when we get going — it’s going to be important for all of us to make sure that everybody, no matter who it is, knows that they’re really comfortable with their assignments, whether it’s running, defense or passing.”

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Nagy doesn’t seem too worried about whether Steele understands what is expected of him.

“His assignments in OTAs were pretty clear,” Nagy recalled. “He knew what he was doing; he knew where he was going. (But) you never know how (someone) is going to perform until (he) puts the pads on. He took it to training camp, put the pads on and made some nice plays. A spectacular play here and there definitely helps, but he has to be consistent across plays and (through) a series of drives. I thought he did that.

“There are still some things we know deep down that he can improve on – (and) he knows it. Now (he’s) going up against a really good football team on ‘Thursday Night Football’ and balancing ‘the emotions of understanding.’

“There will be some mistakes, but (he will) do it 100% – 100% of the time.”

In the meantime, Nagy said, the team’s coaches are still trying to figure out what Perine can do.

“How much can he handle? What is too much? What is not enough? There is a balance. But one thing I took away from the few days I spent with him is that he is super smart. He is a real professional; he gets it.”

But those aren’t the only new faces on Kansas City’s offense. Second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia will start at left tackle and play a key role in protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I think physically he’s shown us he can do some good things,” Nagy said of the former BYU tackle. “Again, it’s about the mindset of understanding. Coach Reid always talks about, ‘You have training camp, you have preseason and then the season comes. And then as you go through the season, you get the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Every game gets more physical – and more physically.’ So it will be a challenge for him.”

“But at the same time, you have to be mentally strong in these games. That’s our job as coaches: to make sure we understand that some young players are playing their first game. Are we giving them enough help mentally – to give them the best chance of success?”

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This will be very important for another rookie: wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

“Probably the most important thing is to make sure (he) understands that this is going to be an emotional game,” Nagy noted. “(He has to understand) that there are going to be some moments where there’s going to be a mistake in route assignment – but there are also going to be big plays.”

Nagy believes the former Texas wide receiver will be up to the challenge on Thursday, but the Ravens will also pose a challenge for the coaches.

“For every team, the first week is about adjusting,” Nagy explained. “That’s it. How do you adjust? How well do you adjust? They have a new defensive coordinator. He’s calling the plays for the first time. Whether it’s the same or different, we’ll see.”

“But they’re going to show some uncharted glimpses; we’re going to see some things that are different. How do we adapt?

“It’s important to make sure our guys can play fast, but we have a lot of respect for them – and it will be a physical game.”