5 things we learned from the Chiefs’ first preseason game of the season

And just like that, the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2026 preseason is off and running.

It seems like a lifetime since the Chiefs ended last season in a 14–12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in what was one of the hardest games to watch in franchise history.

And while Kansas City dropped this game to the Los Angeles Rams 20-12, it was good to see our team back on the field at Arrowhead Stadium.

While there were some highlights and lowlights to draw from in this game, I’ll preface everything you’re about to read below with the standard caveat that this is the first preseason game: take this all with a grain of salt. Everything that happens today could take a 180 ° in the coming weeks.

Still, this game marks the official return of Chiefs football, and that’s something to celebrate. So here are five things we learned from Kansas City’s first preseason game.

1. The Chiefs could be a running team this year

There were a few bright notes in this game, but the brightest might have been rookie running back Emmett Johnson, who finished with 59 yards on 12 attempts.

Head coach Andy Reid opted to sit his starting running back Kenneth Walker III, who the Chiefs acquired via free agency this offseason. And while other running backs on the team like Emari Demarcado and Brashard Smith were either invisible or largely ineffective, between Walker and Johnson, you can see the makings of a one-two punch that could easily put opponents on the canvas.

The Chiefs clearly made an investment to transform their running game this offseason. A move that was likely partially prompted by starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes returning from an ACL injury, to keep him from being under duress as much as possible.

2. Garrett Nussmeier looks the part of a backup QB

In my final “5 Things We Learned” last season, I made a statement that Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele didn’t look the part of backup NFL quarterbacks.

Well, now I’m saying the same thing about Justin Fields, who looked indecisive and unable to get out of his own way through much of the first quarter, and although he completed all four of his pass attempts for 41 yards, it was because the rest of the time he refused to get the ball out of his hand and only threw the ball when someone was wide open. You can’t live like that in the NFL. If you don’t trust yourself to make the throw, then why should your coach?

On the other hand, Nussmeier looked composed and confident, and while not every throw or decision was perfect, there was more good than bad. Still, there were moments where his rookie side came out, taking a bad sack at one point and leaving his receivers out to dry on a couple of occasions. But those are learning moments for the young quarterback.

The biggest thing going against Nussmeier right now is the rookie stigma. It’s no secret that Andy Reid prefers a seasoned vet at backup QB. But if Fields continues to look timid, and Nussmeier keeps making plays, he might force the old ball coach’s hand.

3. R Mason Thomas shows real juice

The Chiefs finished last season with just 33 sacks on defense. The team had to improve in this area, so the front office invested two top-100 picks in defensive linemen Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas in the 2026 Draft.

That investment paid dividends just before halftime, when Thomas blew around the edge and tipped Rams quarterback Ty Simpson’s pass, foiling Los Angeles’ attempt at a Hail Mary just before the half. Thomas looked the part at multiple points, which helped because the rest of the defensive line (without starters Chris Jones and George Karlaftis) did little to inspire confidence.

4. This game was a missed opportunity for the Chiefs’ wide receivers

Aside from rookie Cyrus Allen, the rest of the Chiefs’ wide receivers looked largely uninspired. And while guys like Jalen Royals caught both of his targets, he also had a costly offensive pass interference penalty. And then there is Jason Brownlee, who let the biggest play of the day, a bomb from Nussmeier, go straight through his hands.

The Chiefs held out Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy in this game, but the receivers who did play failed to really show anything that makes you think they can be consistently counted on to produce on a week-to-week basis.

5. Jaden Hicks needed this game

There was a time in 2024 that we thought Hicks might be the next great Chiefs safety in a long line of stars like Eric Berry, Deron Cherry, and Tyrann Mathieu. And then last season, Hicks saw his playing time slip. Then, when the Chiefs released their first depth chart this season, they listed Hicks as the backup to Chimarri Conner.

So needless to say, a nice outing from Hicks to get his stock pointing back up was needed. Hicks did just that, leading the team with seven tackles, one pass defended, and a tackle for a loss.

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