KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- At training camp, establiched Kansas City Chiefs pass-catchers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce saw the ball come their way more than it did to the newcomer, Sammy Watkins.

In the Chiefs' two preseason games, Hill has six catches and a touchdown, Kelce four receptions.

Watkins, the Chiefs' major free-agent acquisition, has none. Meanwhile, 14 other Chiefs have at least one pass reception in the preseason.

Watkins had a particularly rough game last week in Atlanta, where he dropped one pass and failed to come back for another in the end zone, possibly costing the Chiefs a touchdown.

For the time being, at least, the Chiefs' passing game with quarterback Patrick Mahomes is tilting heavily toward Kelce and Hill, the Chiefs' top two pass-catchers from last season.

"Camp is all about finding your rhythm, making sure we get in sync together," offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said. "Part of that process is making sure we're spending the right amount of time with each other but also giving [Mahomes and Watkins] an opportunity to link up a little bit more. When it's all said and done, Sammy is doing a heck of a job. He's doing a great job. He's accepted the challenge because we're not just playing him at one position. He's accepted the challenge of learning all three across the board. We want versatile football players.

"I know everybody wants to talk about what's happening on the field on game day, but I will say this: Their communication, their rhythm is starting to sync."

The Chiefs, who play on Saturday against the Bears in Chicago, are only halfway through their preseason. So Watkins, who signed a three-year, $48 million contract with $30 million guaranteed this offseason, has time to get to that place with Mahomes where Hill and Kelce already seem to be.

But the Chiefs can't afford to let the process drag out. It's difficult to see them reaching their full potential without a major contribution from Watkins.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid has insisted Watkins learn all of the receiving positions rather than master one spot before moving on to others. For now, that may be limiting his production.

"It takes a lot of reps," Kelce said of learning the playbook. "It takes a lot of focus and watching film. ... Once you've mastered [one] wide receiver position, now [Reid] is going to put you in the slot, he's going to put you in the backfield like he does with Tyreek."

Reid said, "Sammy is still working through the offense. I love his intensity on learning all the little, small things. We're moving him everywhere. You've seen that. We've got him in all the different spots. If you haven't seen it in a game, then you've seen it in practice. In practice [Mahomes and Watkins] have done some good things."

The game in Atlanta appeared to be a setback for Watkins. Reid rarely singles out a player publicly for blame on any particular play but said Watkins was at fault on the touchdown he didn't get. Mahomes threw to Watkins in the end zone but he failed to come back to the ball, leaving an opening for a defender to break up the pass.

"Sammy's got to come back for that," Reid said. "That's a great one to learn from. ... If you're going to have the quarterback throw back on it, then you've got to be coming back to him. He kind of waited and it allowed the defender to recover.

"[Mahomes] is OK on that one."

The only interception Mahomes has thrown in the preseason was on a pass intended for Watkins. While it's hard to figure the blame for that one, it's still a sign the two players aren't seeing things the same way.

"I think it just comes with reps," Mahomes said. "He's out here trying to learn every single position in this offense. It's a hard offense to learn. I understand [that] from last year. He's picking it up really, really well for how much we're asking of him, and I'm excited for him going [forward] to know all the different routes and know all the different positions because it's going to help open our offense even to a new level.

"We've had good connections throughout the practices. We haven't connected in the preseason so far, but at the same time, the relationship I'm building with him on the practice field, after practice, whatever we're doing, I feel like will translate into the season. When you have that much talent, you're going to be open, so hopefully I can just get the ball to him. He's going to be open a lot."