LAURENT DUVERNAY-TARDIF

Less than half of the 67 NFL players who opted out of the 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic are still with the same team as training camps kicked off for the 2021 season.

From players getting COVID-19 vaccinations to relaxed coronavirus protocols to lineup issues, particularly at quarterback, the NFL faces a multitude of questions as training camps open.

The offensive line that the Kansas City Chiefs aggressively overhauled this offseason has taken a hit.

The Kansas City Chiefs traded a package of picks, including the No. 31 overall selection, to the Ravens on Friday for two-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown.

– The Kansas City Chiefs released starting offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz on Thursday as they sought to squeeze under the salary cap. Fisher and Schwartz were instrumental in helping the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers for their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. Fisher tore his Achilles tendon in the AFC title game and Schwartz missed half the season with a back injury. AdThe Chiefs signed the 31-year-old Schwartz in 2016 to bookend with Fisher on a revamped offensive line. Now, the Chiefs intend to rebuild their offensive line without Fisher and Schwartz factoring in.

Now, the Chiefs will have to take a much different tact if they want to make their third consecutive Super Bowl. While their core group is signed for the next several years, the Chiefs have a raft of important contributors that are due to hit free agency. Ad“Like all teams, we'll get busy here going down the road,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday. “Every year is different because of your cap situation and what you have and what you need,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. WELCOME BACKThe Chiefs should get some help from guys that were injured or opted out of this past season.

The Buccaneers didn't even give him time to skim their defense in the Super Bowl. He was 26 of 49 for 270 yards and two interceptions in a 31-9 blowout that denied the Chiefs back-to-back titles. “They had a good game plan,” said Mahomes, whose quarterback rating of 52.3 was by far the worst of his career. The first-half numbers were striking: Mahomes was 9 of 19 for 67 yards, while Tampa Bay counterpart Tom Brady had dominated the Chiefs defense for 140 yards passing and three TDs in staking the Buccaneers to a 21-6 lead. “To the last snap,” Reid said, “he was trying to win that football game.”It was just that kind of night for Mahomes.

Kansas City Chiefs player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif on putting football on hold to fight COVID-19 Kansas City Chiefs player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, a medical school graduate, traded his offensive line work to go to the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. His team is back in the Super Bowl for the second straight year, but his work is just beginning. Michelle Miller has the details.

Kansas City Chiefs guard Stefen Wisniewski celebrates at the end of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs were supposed to have a talented lineup of millionaires, each a seasoned veteran of the rough-and-tumble NFL, protecting their half-billion dollar quarterback as they defended their Super Bowl title this season. Instead, they'll have a motley cast of late-round draft picks, journeymen and castoffs making up their offensive line. Austin Reiter was the expected center with Laurent Duvernay-Tardif at right guard and Mitchell Schwartz, also a former All-Pro and one of the league's most durable players, handling right tackle. Get it to my playmakers in space and let them make some good things happen.”___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

FILE - Villanova head coach Jay Wright gestures during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown in Washington, in this Saturday, March 7, 2020, file photo. South Carolina, 3-2 this season, has had seven scheduled games called off because of COVID-19. ___Xavier's scheduled men's basketball game Saturday at Seton Hall has been postponed because of COVID-19 related issues within the Xavier program. ___The Atlantic Coast Conference says Saturday’s men’s basketball game between Georgia Tech and North Carolina State has been postponed. ___Michigan State is postponing a second straight men's basketball game due to a COVID-19 outbreak within its basketball program.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws under pressure against the Denver Broncos in the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. One of the things that has made the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback so dynamic is his ability to unload a pass to his deep and talented group of wide receivers from seemingly impossible spots. “Every week you guys ask me about a record here or there, so I think he's cooking pretty good,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said with a grin. His quick release from so many angles allows him to squeeze the ball through the smallest of holes. He has one of its best rookies in Clyde Edwards-Helaire and one of its best veteran running backs in LeVeon Bell.

Fans watch the Kansas City Chiefs during NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship. This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.That contract extension is the second largest in NFL history. Very, very dynamic players, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. They also will miss cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who are suspended for the start of the season.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. As the new player representative for the Chiefs, Mahomes had a major voice in negotiations between the NFL and its players' union on return-to-play protocols. I think the whole point of 2020 is you never know what's going to happen the next day, Mahomes said. I think it's a fun time to be a Kansas City Chief and it's because 15 is in the building, for sure.Not just be a Kansas City Chief, but be a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. It's exciting to know that he's going to be here forever, Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz said.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was on every call involving the NFL Players Association and took a significant role in putting in place the return-to-play protocols for training camp. The Super Bowl MVP took over the player representative role on the Chiefs from longtime punter Dustin Colquitt, who was let go in the offseason. Chiefs offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was the first player to voluntarily opt out Friday night. I think it surprises anyone, Mahomes said, but at the same time you respect his decision. We think we're going to put the players in a position where they're safe," he said.