It’s been a long offseason for the Chiefs Kingdom. First, they dealt with the injury to their beloved star, Patrick Mahomes. Second, will Travis Kelce return? Lastly, how will this team rebound from missing the postseason? Today, they play an exhibition game that means nothing other than to feel good as our collective healing begins today.
The Kansas City Chiefs host the Los Angeles Rams today in a game that will showcase the bottom of both rosters. Neither quarterback, Patrick Mahomes nor Matthew Stafford, will play today, and it’s likely, unlike a year ago, that Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid will give his starters minimal work in any of the preseason games.
Given the way he’s pushed them at training camp, especially with his padded practices this August, he might sharpen iron within. Last preseason, all the healthy starters played in each game and, granted, not for extended stretches, but enough to shake off the rust.
That result led to a 0-2 start, and they never recovered. Faced with a brutal schedule this season, the Chiefs have to start hot and stay that way throughout the regular season to get back into the playoffs.
KC’s journey begins today as the Super Bowl favorite Rams come into Arrowhead. It feels good to say that again, and they will start their backups. Likely, we won’t see former Chiefs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but the Rams are the favorites for a reason. If you want to watch good football, they are as deep as any team in the NFL.
The Chiefs, on the flip side, have far more concerns about their roster. Injuries have affected this team, with Guard Trey Smith, Linebacker Drue Tranquill, and others missing valuable camp time.
Still, fans can get a glimpse of the Chiefs’ strong rookie draft class, which could produce four or five starters this season. Some of them will play, but don’t expect top pick Cornerback Mansoor Delane to get any reps today or at any point during this preseason.
Though he’s recovered from a shoulder injury during OTAs, the Chiefs will be cautious and focus on getting him ready for the regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos.
However, the man to watch today should be wide receiver Cyrus Allen, who, if you read social media exclusively for your news, might be the second coming of (plug any name into that season) and already has locked up a Hall of Fame bid.
Allen is the biggest wild card on offense for the Chiefs. He’s quickly adapted to the Reid playbook, and Mahomes already has tremendous trust in the rookie from Cincinnati. Yes, the Chiefs have hyped young players before, and some camp darlings fizzled once the season opened. However, Allen appears different.
Again, Reid will likely focus on filling roster spots 45-53. Some will play special teams, but Kansas City also has talented undrafted free agents, including tackle Kahil Benson, who could end up starting at right tackle.
All in all, I have no expectations for this game, and the Chiefs generally find themselves on the losing end in preseason games. However, after a dismal 2025 season, I would think winning in August might be a strong prelude to September football, when the games count.
So, if you’re watching the game today, let’s rejoice that Mahomes will start the season, Kelce is back, and the Chiefs have what could be their best roster in the Reid era.
They have youth, speed, and wise veterans who can serve as the glue and bridge until the next generation of players can perform in the high-stakes regular season. After all, if the young guns and the new free-agent additions learn anything in training camp, the Chiefs are about winning Super Bowls.
Today, they all climb aboard that train!
