“It feels great, pushing every single day, trying to stack days together,” Mahomes said Saturday to the press. “I feel like when you’re tired, sometimes you don’t even think about it. So, I’m trying to protect it, but at the same time, I’m trying to push it and get myself ready to go for the season.”

Although Andy Reid revealed that he likely will not use Mahomes during the preseason, the tests to ensure the QB is ready have been quite demanding: “I had to pass a test that that was pretty, pretty hard. And so, it was kind of about making me—so basically it made me really tired.

“Then they made me go out there and do a lot of cutting and jumping and all that different type of stuff. And so, I’m a competitor. So, when it comes to a test of physical ability, I wanted to go out there and do it, but (Dr. Dan Cooper) he wasn’t going to take it easy on me. He was going to push me to my limit and see what I got.”

Mahomes’ serious injury

On December 14, 2025, Patrick Mahomes suffered a severe knee injury late in the fourth quarter of a 16-13 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. Scrambling to his right near the line of scrimmage, the Chiefs star was tackled by defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, causing his left knee to buckle awkwardly underneath him. The impact resulted in a torn ACL and LCL, instantly ending his season and requiring major offseason surgery.

Chiefs’ preseason is approaching

The Chiefs’ three preseason games will be a major test as they look to be in the best possible shape for their Week 1 debut against the Denver Broncos. With Justin Fields likely to start, these are the three games Andy Reid’s team will play.

• vs Los Angeles Rams, August 15
• at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, August 22
• vs Seattle Seahawks, August 28

Chiefs Kingdom wants to return to the top

To bounce back and make another Super Bowl run, Andy Reid’s squad will need a full recovery from Patrick Mahomes following a brutal 2025 campaign where Kansas City missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Chiefs struggled to a 6-11 record, finishing 3rd in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos (14-3) and Los Angeles Chargers (11-6).

Kansas City’s offense took a severe hit during the losing stretch, averaging just 21.3 points per game (362 total points scored) while relying on a stout defense that allowed only 19.3 points per game (328 total points against). Rebuilding offensive line depth, retooling the offense, and getting Mahomes back to full health will be critical if the Chiefs want to reclaim division dominance and return to championship contention.

During Friday’s press conference, Andy Reid said Mahomes won’t play vs. the Rams, and is likely that he won’t participate at all. “There’s a pretty good chance I don’t play him [against the Rams],” Reid said.

Reid added, “Percentages are leaning that way. I don’t know if I’ll play him the second or third game, I don’t know that, but the percentages likely lean against doing that.” The Chiefs did see Cyrus Allen back in practice with Mahomes, and the WR is likely to see some preseason snaps at some point.

The QBs at Reid’s disposal for Chiefs preseason games

Justin Fields and rookie Garrett Nussmeier will be the ones taking the majority of snaps under center during the preseason games. Justin Fields is a highly-mobile, high-risk, high-reward kind of quarterback.

Meanwhile, Nussmeier is a gunslinger with a huge arm and less mobility. The seventh-rounder out of LSU is a quick-processing, rhythm-and-timing quarterback though it’s offset by a slight frame, and tendency for turnovers.

Chiefs preseason schedule

The Chiefs will face off against three NFC teams during their preseason campaign. If these games featured A-listers from every team, they’d be must-watch affairs:

• Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams – Saturday, August 15, at 4:00 PM ET (National TV: NFL Network, Local: KSHB 41)
• Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Saturday, August 22, at 7:30 PM ET (Local: KSHB 41)
• Week 3: vs. Seattle Seahawks – Friday, August 28, at 8:00 PM ET (Local: KSHB 41)

The wide receiver is slowly preparing for the most demanding stage of training. “Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice participated in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time at 2026 NFL training camp. It’s a clear sign that he’s made enough progress in his injury rehab and ramp-up for full-contact clearance,” Goldman wrote on X.

Mahomes is one of the people most eager to see Rice return, given the injuries to Xavier Worthy and Cyrus Allen during training camp. It remains to be seen what shape the Chiefs’ receiving corps will be in by the start of the season.

Rice slowly returns to action

Rashee Rice was sidelined from offseason workouts following a right knee scope and debridement procedure performed in May 2026. This minor arthroscopic clean-up was required to clear out residual joint inflammation and debris lingering from his major LCL repair in late 2024. The Chiefs took a cautious approach with his rehab throughout spring practices, prioritizing long-term stability so he could return at full strength for training camp.

Mahomes has a key weapon in Rice

During the 2025 season with Chiefs, Rashee Rice recorded 53 receptions for 571 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns across 8 regular-season games following his return from a six-game suspension.

Operating as Patrick Mahomes‘ most reliable target in the short and intermediate passing game, Rice played a crucial role in stabilizing the offense by consistently generating yards after the catch (414 YAC) and providing Mahomes with a lethal threat in the red zone.

The Chiefs’ preseason games

Waiting to have as many players available as possible for this stage of preparation, these are the upcoming games for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid‘s Chiefs.

• vs Los Angeles Rams, August 15
• at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, August 22
• vs Seattle Seahawks, August 28

Per Nate Taylor of ESPN, “Andy Reid said Xavier Worthy had a sprained shoulder. He expects Worthy & rookie Cyrus Allen to return to practice later this week.” This is incredibly good news for a team that was getting really slim at the WR room.

A sprained shoulder should heal relatively properly, so Worthy would be at 100% by the time Week 1 rolls around. Also, Cyrus Allen, who got injured on a special teams drill, suffered a shin bruise, so it was the best-case scenario for him.

Should the Chiefs be on the lookout for a new WR?

The Chiefs definitely need a certified WR1 if there’s one available. Rashee Rice has shown glimpses of talent but between injuries and lack of discipline, he misses too many games. As for Worthy, he is talented but he is more of a gadget player. Allen is a rookie who has shown potential but not to the point to trust him entirely.

Then, there’s Travis Kelce. Even with Kelce getting support from Reid at training camp, the star tight end has been on the decline for a couple of years and he is not getting any younger. In fact, he’s been slowing down and is not as reliable as he once was. Therefore, Chiefs fans want the team to sign free agent WR Stefon Diggs.

Cap space is a big blocker for Chiefs to go for a WR

The Kansas City Chiefs do not currently have the cap space to bring in a top-tier wide receiver, but general manager Brett Veach has clear paths to create it. As teams progress through 2026 training camps, OverTheCap trackers show the Chiefs possess just $3.84 million to $4.55 million in available functional cap space.

This is the lowest figure in the NFL, barely covering typical regular-season operational costs and injury replacements. Despite being tight against the ceiling, the front office has significant convertible contracts on the books. If Kansas City wants to pull off a blockbuster trade for a pass-catcher, it can pull from a pool of up to $60 million in restructure-ready money.

“He looked pretty good. He stayed in shape,” the head coach said, via The Athletic. “He did a lot of dancing at his wedding.” Reid knows that, even if his No. 87 drops a pass, the impact Kelce has on the younger players around him remains extremely important.

“He works so hard, and he wants to be in there,” Andy Reid also added. “For a young guy to look at that … it’s hard for them to make an excuse to take a rep off, because he’s out there going.”

The criticism surrounding Kelce has focused on questions about his physical condition and his lack of rhythm during training camp. Can one of the most talented tight ends in NFL history overcome those concerns in the short term?

Kelce wants to improve on his 2025 season

After pondering retirement following a disappointing season in which the Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Travis Kelce re-signed on a one-year deal aiming to prove he still has elite football left in the tank.

Entering his 14th NFL campaign, the 36-year-old tight end is motivated to rebound from a modest 2025 stat line—where he recorded 76 receptions, 851 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns, and an 11.2 yards-per-catch average—as he seeks to bounce back alongside Patrick Mahomes and restore Kansas City to championship contention.

More options for Reid

It is clear that Andy Reid relies on Travis Kelce as the leader of his tight end room. However, if there is a potential decline in his performance, these are the other names he will have available for the season.

• Noah Gray
• Jared Wiley
• Tre Watson
• Jake Briningstool
• Mason Pline

A tough start to the season for the Chiefs

Getting back into the spotlight is a priority. To do so, the Chiefs will need to start on the right foot in what is expected to be a highly competitive season.

• Week 1, vs Denver Broncos
• Week 2, vs Indianapolis Colts
• Week 3, at Miami Dolphins
• Week 4, at Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 5, Bye Week

Ahead of the start of the regular season, they will have three preseason games: first against the Los Angeles Rams, then against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and finally against the Seattle Seahawks.

“Anytime you have a rookie, everybody’s on special teams until they aren’t,” Toub said to the press. “You know, until they establish (themselves) as a starter on offense or defense, and then we have to kind of pull back, maybe take them off for two or three phases. But initially, everybody starts off as a four-phase guy, and that’s just the way we do it.”

Recently, according to AZ Sports, Allen revealed that he was excited to practice with special teams during this stage: “Oh yeah, I want to play special teams regardless,” he said. “All four phases.”

The good news for Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs, according to insider Adam Schefter on X, is that the initial tests revealed a shin bruise, meaning there is no indication of a fracture or a torn ligament.

Toub reveals more details about the incident

Cyrus Allen got off to a rough start in his NFL career, leaving the 2026 training camp early due to an injury. Dave Toub spoke with the media and revealed more details about the moment the injury occurred.

“Yeah, (Kaiir) Elam was catching the ball,” the Special Teams Coordinator explained. “He was a gunner. They were both playing gunner, and Elam was catching it. He was clearly there, and (Cyrus) Allen came in. He thought he was catching it, and they collided. I mean, I hate to see somebody get hurt, especially on a special teams drill, and we’ll see how he is.”

Allen is highly regarded by the Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes’ receiving corps this season may not be what it once was during the team’s golden years. That is why the Chiefs selected Cyrus Allen in the latest draft, hoping he could emerge as one of their top receiving options alongside names like Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice.

What’s next for the Chiefs?

Practices continue at a steady pace in Chiefs Kingdom, with Sunday, August 2 serving as a scheduled day off. From there, the first padded practice session is expected to take place on Monday, August 3, marking the beginning of a more intense phase of training for the players.

Per Nate Taylor of ESPN, Andy Reid said the following, “Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy… Mia is stable, which is a plus… We all love EB and you hate seeing those things happen… Real life. You take care of that. She’s a saint, one of God’s good blessings. But things happen.“

Taylor also reported that Reid set no timetable for Bieniemy to return, as family is priority. In the meantime, Joe Bleymaier, who usually serves as the team’s pass game coordinator, will take over the offensive coordinator duties until Bieniemy returns.

Bleymaier is a well-known coach for the Chiefs

While Bieniemy attends his wife, Bleymaier will step up as the interim OC. Bleymaier has been with the Chiefs for a decade, joining the franchise in 2016 as the quality control coach.

Bleyamier’s duties and roles have changed a lot over the years, but he is a very well respected coach within the Chiefs confines. In fact, Bleymaier was one of the assistant coaches for the Chiefs given credit for helping them convert a 4th-and-1 play in the 2020 AFC Divisional Round that helped them advance into the next round of the playoffs.

Andy Reid is still at the helm

While the Chiefs are dealing with all this, the fact remains that the offense still relies heavily on the brain of Andy Reid, the head coach of the team. Reid has always been regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL.

While he lets the OCs work and put their inputs into the Chiefs games, playcalling and concepts still run through Reid. As of now, the focus is on Bieniemy to be there for his wife, Reid and Bleymaier to plan on what’s ahead for the offense, and Patrick Mahomes to keep rehabbing his knee as he wants to get ready for Week 1.

Unfortunately, the path to becoming a professional player for the former LSU Tigers cornerback did not get off to the best start. A shoulder injury suffered during OTAs raised concerns, but the head coach still feels confident about his outlook moving forward.

“Delane right now is having his final physical. Right now. So he’s right in the process of that and is doing well there,” Reid said while addressing the reporters on Friday. He also praised the attitude and approach the player has shown throughout his preparation.

“We like the way he goes about his business. He’s a focused kid, he seems to be a smart, sharp kid. He’s willing to work. He was banged up a little bit but he’s willing to work. He’s aggressive that way — too aggressive in the way he hurt himself there. You’ve got a good player and he’s got to get in and go and get the reps in the defensive scheme.”

Reid looks to get injured players back on track

Mansoor Delane’s injury situation is not the only one to keep a close eye on in Chiefs Kingdom. The good news for the team is that Andy Reid revealed Patrick Mahomes is fully cleared for training camp after suffering a serious knee injury.

Another player who is not arriving at this stage of preparation in the best physical condition is Omarr Norman-Lott. The defensive tackle, who is dealing with a knee injury, will likely start on the PUP list while waiting for his full recovery.

Delane arrives as the CB1

After trading star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, the Kansas City Chiefs made a bold move to secure his replacement by trading first-, third-, and fifth-round picks to move up and select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane sixth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Delane steps into massive shoes, as McDuffie was an elite cornerstone of Kansas City’s secondary, winning two Super Bowls (LVII and LVIII) while earning First-team All-Pro (2023) and Second-team All-Pro (2024) honors.

Across 56 regular-season games with the Chiefs, McDuffie racked up 246 total tackles, 34 pass deflections, 8 forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. Kansas City is now counting on Delane’s instincts and athletic profile to anchor the defensive backfield and fill the void left by one of the league’s top lockdown corners.

During a recent press conference ahead of the start of this stage of the NFL calendar, Mahomes made his stance on the situation clear. The goal, in order to avoid injuries like the one he suffered toward the end of the 2025 season, is to take better care of himself and look for more alternatives in his teammates.

“I plan to be able to to do everything I did before. I’ve been moving around and doing that stuff but, I’m obviously try to take care of myself a little bit better,” he said.

If needed, he now has an elite running back in the offense: “I think I ran little bit too much last season in general, so I’ll try to get better with that. Then if all else fails, I’ll just hand it off to K9 (Kenneth Walker) and let him go to work.”

A major setback for Mahomes

On December 14, 2025, Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury occurred in the final minutes of the fourth quarter when his knee buckled awkwardy as he was brought down by defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand while trying to scramble out of the pocket.

Mahomes underwent successful surgery the following day to repair both his ACL and LCL, ending a tough 2025 campaign that also saw the Chiefs miss the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Mahomes wants to protect his knee

Recovering from an injury can have different challenges for an NFL player. Mahomes does not want to leave anything to chance, and besides seeking advice from a player of Tom Brady’s caliber, he also has not ruled out the possibility of continuing to wear his knee brace to avoid setbacks.

“I’m going start off with it just because I’ve worn it before and I feel comfortable with it. So that that’s kind of where we will start, but it’s not like I’ve been told I have to wear it or how long I have to wear it,” he said via NBCSports.com.

“It’s just going to be my comfortability how I feel. But I will start with it on just because I feel like I can still move and be myself with it. I played with it in college and then we’ll just see where we go from there.”

What to expect from Kenneth Walker III

Coming off a dominant 2025 campaign with the Seattle Seahawks where he rushed for 1,027 yards and 5 touchdowns on 221 carries (4.6 YPC) while adding 31 receptions for 282 yards—and capping it all off as the Super Bowl LX MVP—expectations for Kenneth Walker III in Kansas City are sky-high.

After signing a three-year contract with the Chiefs in March 2026, the explosive back is set to step immediately into the RB1 role. With his elite contact balance and big-play ability, Walker III will serve as the undisputed focal point of the rushing attack, leaving clear depth and complementary roles for Emari Demercado and rookie Brashard Smith behind him.

What’s next for the Chiefs?

The 2026 NFL training camps are slowly starting to take shape, and while the Chiefs remained cautious regarding Mahomes’ situation, they are now expecting him to be there on July 28. The location where Andy Reid will watch his players return to action will be Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Reid said, “Pat (Mahomes) is doing great with his [recovery]. He’s cleared to practice in all the different periods we have in camp… He’s been cleared to participate in full.”

Hence, after a blown knee, Mahomes is scheduled to take the field in Week 1 and that’s absolutely and positively great for the Chiefs. Mahomes is clearly a difference-maker and is the best quarterback in the 2020s decade.

Reid gave other injury updates on the Chiefs

“Omarr Norman-Lott will most likely start on the PUP list, but is making progress,” Reid said about the defensive tackle. Hence, the defense will have to wait a bit to get their defensive line fully healthy.

As for Rashee Rice, Reid said, “Rashee Rice, with his knee debridement, is doing great… He is cleared to go.” So in that case, Mahomes and his best weapon are ready to roll.

Mahomes revamps this offense in massive ways

An elite QB makes a good offense, a great one. A great offense into a top-tier unit and that’s what Mahomes does. He elevates the Chiefs offense in many ways. This is how the Chiefs starting offense looks right now:

• QB – Patrick Mahomes
• RB – Kenneth Walker III
• WR – Rashee Rice
• WR – Xavier Worthy
• TE – Travis Kelce

One player whose future in Kansas City is suddenly in question is offensive tackle Wanya Morris. The former third-round pick has served as an important depth piece and has made multiple starts during his NFL career, but his path to a larger role appears increasingly complicated.

According to a new report from Jeremy Fowler, both sides are now exploring whether a fresh start elsewhere could be the best solution. “The Chiefs and OT Wanya Morris have agreed to explore trade options, per sources. Morris would like the chance to play more and Kansas City has tackle depth.”

Will the Chiefs trade Wanya Morris?

Yes. Fowler’s report suggests the situation is not being driven by dissatisfaction from either side. Instead, Wanya Morris is looking for an opportunity to earn a larger role, while the Chiefs have enough depth at offensive tackle to consider moving him.

Morris has appeared in 16 starts during his first three NFL seasons, including 11 starts in 2024. Those experiences could make him an attractive target for teams searching for affordable offensive line help.

For Kansas City, the move would also reflect the confidence in their current tackle depth to protect Patrick Mahomes. If a suitable offer emerges, the Chiefs could decide that acquiring future assets while giving Morris a better opportunity elsewhere is a win-win outcome for both sides.