The Kansas City Chiefs had their moments and chances against the Los Angeles Rams, but in the end, the NFC Super Bowl contender dominated in the second half, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t learn something about the Chiefs.
If you look at the Los Angeles Rams ‘ 20-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, you have to be impressed with the Chiefs young draft picks. Absent Mansoor Delane, who sat out with a shoulder injury, the rest of the class was outstanding in making a great first impression on the coaching staff.
The Chiefs didn’t play their starters much Saturday afternoon in Arrowhead, but the initial backups were impressive collectively. In particular, the 2026 draft class all made impressive moments. Led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Running Back Emmitt Johnson, Edge Rusher R Mason Thomas, Defensive Tackle Peter Woods, and Wide Receiver Cyrus Allen.
In fact, had it not been for a plethora of red zone holding penalties, the Chiefs, led by their seventh-round quarterback, should have scored a pair of touchdowns. Nussmeier, who was making his NFL debut, completed 13 of 19 passes for 98 yards. Had wide receiver Jason Brownlee held onto the picture-perfect bomb Nussmeier threw to him late in the third quarter, this would likely be a different game.
Still, for all the hype that this draft class has received in training camp, I think we can put to rest the idea that Cyrus Allen is, in fact, the real deal. His leaping catch was a thing of beauty, and it’s easy to see what the coaching staff loves about his game. He had a chance for an easy touchdown in the second quarter, but Nussmeier, in a rare miss, under-threw the football.
Emmitt Thomas was the team’s best offensive player, and despite having a touchdown called back after a questionable holding call, he still managed 59 rushing yards on 12 carries. He’s the type of physical runner the Chiefs haven’t had in the backfield in some time. Though he split carries with Brashard Smith, who also had some nice moments, it’s clear Thomas has the chance to enter the season as the primary backup to Kenneth Walker.
On defense, R Mason Thomas nearly had a pair of sacks, and Peter Woods was a disruptor who showed a wide range of moves that should give the Chiefs’ defense a massive boost come September. Second-year men, Cornerback Nohl Williams and Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, were at the top of their game, and Bassa has a real chance to show he can be more than a backup.
Williams was sensational, and when Delane gets back on the field, KC’s top corners, along with Kristen Fulton, who also had a solid game. will be a formidable trio. Strong Safety Jaden Hicks led the Chiefs with seven tackles (5 solo), and for the first time since his rookie season, he looked comfortable playing fast.
Though this game has little meaning in the overall success of this football team, there was enough to glean some significant improvement, playing against the best team in the NFL and their backups, to give Andy Reid plenty to like about his first preseason game.
Further, nobody was injured as the Chiefs prepare for their second exhibition game next weekend in Tampa against the Buccaneers.
