That is a huge sign of progression as there are three weeks to go before the 2026 NFL regular season starts. Delane was the sixth overall pick in the draft, so the expectations for him are huge.

Delane is highly regarded as the best cornerback in this rookie class and being under star defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the sky is the limit. At first, he was able to avoid the PUP list, but now he seems ready to go.

Delane has huge shoes to fill

The Chiefs lost both starting cornerbacks in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Coincidentally, both went to the Rams, but that left a big hole on the Chiefs roster, one that Delane is trusted to fill.

Alongside Delane, Nohl Williams is expected to take the other starting cornerback role. Williams is a second-year player and had seven passes defended with 48 combined tackles last year. He shows promise as he allowed just a 52.5 completion percentage when targeted last season.

The Chiefs have a habit with CBs

Since 2020, the Chiefs have parted ways with several star or key starting cornerbacks. Whether in free agency or via trade, it’s a part of a recurring strategy to manage salary cap space rather than pay top-of-market prices. As of now, it’s worked wonderful for them, though. These are the ones who have left:

• Trent McDuffie
• Jaylen Watson
• L’Jarius Sneed
• Charvarius Ward

Andy Reid called Emmett Johnson “one of the positives coming out of” the Chiefs’ game vs. Rams. Johnson was not expected to be a key part of the Chiefs roster, but a strong preseason could be just what he needs to get more snaps.

Johnson had 12 carries for 59 yards and three receptions for an additional 10 yards. Per Jesse Newell of The Athletic, Johnson “has been running with the fourth-string offense most of training camp.” This will surely help his stock within the Chiefs‘ building.

Johnson still has ways to go on Chiefs RB depth chart

Given that he’s been playing with fourth-string players, that would indicate Emmett Johnson is behind Kenneth Walker III, Emari Demercado, and Brashard Smith. Now, he might have leapfrogged Smith.

However, Walker III is firmly established as RB1 as he is coming off a Super Bowl MVP performance. Demercado is a more experienced back, but Johnson has more upside. Hence, he could keep climbing into an RB2 slot.

The Chiefs owe Mahomes a good running back

The best numbers a running back has had during Mahomes era was in 2023 when Isiah Pacheco had 935 rushing yards. Kareem Hunt, in 2018, had 1202 scrimmage yards. However, it’s still incredible to see the Chiefs haven’t provided Mahomes with a top-tier back.

Reid addressed the media after the game, calling out the main issue that must be addressed. “Penalties,” Reid told reporters. “That would be the No. 1 thing to be cleaned up.”

Reid acknowledged there were good things from the loss, including watching the young guys perform for the first time. However, one of the biggest mistakes for Kansas City was discipline, as Chiefs committed 12 total penalties that stalled drives or kept possessions alive for Rams. Chiefs also racked up 101 penalty yards.

Injury update provided by Reid

Frustrating as even exhibition losses can be, most NFL fans know that player health can be the most important indicator of a successful preseason contest. With one exception, Chiefs seemed to come out of Saturday’s game healthy.

In the fourth quarter, international tackle Chu Godrick was announced as questionable to return due to an ankle injury. After the loss, Godrick was the only injured player head coach Andy Reid highlighted.

“As far as injuries go,” the coach began, “really, it was just Chu Godrick had an ankle sprain. Other than that, there were no other injuries.” Encouragingly, Reid did not mention rookie Jadon Canady. Canady briefly entered the medical tent in the fourth quarter before returning to the game.

Players who saw limited action

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, cornerback Mansoor Delane, pass rusher Ashton Gillotte, and newly signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah were dressed on the sideline but did not enter the game for the Chiefs.

Several other players had short workloads. Running back Kenneth Walker exited the game after the first offensive snap. The starting offensive line-tackles Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore, guards Kingsley Suamataia and Kahlil Benson, and center Creed Humphrey were replaced after the first offensive possession.

According to Senior Team Reporter Matt McMullen, the rest of the Chiefs’ quarterback room will handle the snaps: Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun. Recently, Reid himself addressed Mahomes’ situation: “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 head coach also added: “We’ve got new people in those other positions behind him that need some work, and so the more reps they get, the better.“ It is clear that the main goal is for No. 15 to be fully healthy and ready for Week 1.

What is Patrick Mahomes’ status?

Patrick Mahomes has made remarkable progress following the serious left knee injury he suffered late in the 2025 regular season. After tearing both his ACL and LCL, the quarterback underwent successful reconstructive surgery in December and spent the offseason undergoing intense, rigorous rehabilitation to regain full strength and mobility.

Now fully cleared for football activities without restrictions, the star signal-caller is entering the new season with immense confidence. Addressing his status during training camp, Mahomes provided significant injury update on his knee: ‘It feels great’, bringing huge relief to the team and reassuring fans that he is ready to play at an elite level once again.

Chiefs’ 2026 NFL Preseason games

Following their opening game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Kansas City Chiefs will continue their preseason preparation on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 22 for Week 2, before wrapping up the exhibition schedule at home against the Seattle Seahawks on August 28. With the tune-up games behind them, the Chiefs will kick off the 2026 NFL regular season at Arrowhead Stadium in a Week 1 divisional clash against the Denver Broncos.

Since Sean McVay was appointed as the Rams head coach, the Rams have not played their starters during preseason games. That won’t be changing in 2026, as McVay always prefers caution as opposed to rhythm. Given that Matthew Stafford is not precisely young, it seems like a good decision.

Per Sports Illustrated, no starter should see snaps, but also key rotational pieces will sit out. In fact, two running backs, four tight ends, and three wideouts won’t play a part vs. the Chiefs. For that matter, Patrick Mahomes won’t play vs Rams either.

Myles Garrett won’t play either

If offensive starters won’t suit up, then defensive stars won’t do it either. Hence, Myles Garrett’s Rams debut will have to wait. Alongside Garrett, newly-acquired cornerbacks like Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson are also not debuting yet.

Given that the Rams are a Super Bowl contender and a definite ‘boom-or-bust‘ team, what they don’t need is unnecessary injuries hampering the team. McVay knows that, hence the incredible precaution for these preseason games.

Aaron Donald’s decision is still in the air

The Rams are also awaiting on legend Aaron Donald’s decision. If Donald comes back, the Rams would arguably have the most stacked team in the NFL by a mile. Hence, making the Super Bowl not only a real possibility, but also a must-win trophy. Anything less would be a failure.

The last time Donald was on the gridiron, he racked up eight sacks, 53 combined tackles, 23 QB hits, and an first-team All-Pro selection. He was such a dominant force in the interior of the trenches, that he wrecked gameplans.

How to watch Chiefs vs Rams in the USA

The Los Angeles Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL preseason Week 1 game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network. For streaming, the game can be watched through NFL+ and ESPN Unlimited.

Can I watch Chiefs vs Rams for free?

There is currently no free legal way to watch Chiefs vs. Rams in the United States. NFL+ and ESPN Unlimited require a paid subscription, while NFL Network is part of participating TV and live-TV streaming packages.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Chiefs vs. Rams opens the 2026 NFL preseason for both teams, making the matchup less about the final score and more about evaluating players competing for roster spots and roles.

Kansas City enters the game after a disappointing 6-11 season in 2025 that ended the Chiefs’ run of nine consecutive playoff appearances, so Andy Reid‘s team has plenty to evaluate as it prepares for a bounce-back campaign.

One of the biggest storylines will be at quarterback. Patrick Mahomes is not expected to play as he continues his recovery from ACL and LCL surgery on his left knee. Reid has indicated that Mahomes could sit out the entire preseason, giving Justin Fields, rookie Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun valuable opportunities to take snaps.

The Rams are in a similar situation at quarterback. Matthew Stafford is expected to sit, leaving Stetson Bennett as the projected starter and first-round rookie Ty Simpson in line for meaningful playing time.

Stafford is coming off an MVP season in which he threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, so the preseason priority is protecting the veteran while developing the depth behind him.

Los Angeles also enters the new season with legitimate Super Bowl expectations after reaching the NFC Championship Game last season. The Rams added veteran star Myles Garrett to an already talented defense, while their offense continues to feature Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams. The preseason opener therefore offers younger players and backups an important chance to make their case around an established core.

What time is the Chiefs vs Rams match?

The Chiefs vs. Rams game kicks off on Saturday, August 15, at 4:00 PM ET. The game starts at 3:00 PM CT in Kansas City, with the matchup taking place at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

• Eastern Time: 4:00 PM
• Central Time: 3:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 2:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 1:00 PM

“He’s playing his tail off right now, and he’s leading us,” the tight end revealed during his press conference. These are not only words of reassurance for Andy Reid, but also for the entire Chiefs Kingdom, who are eager to quickly return to the top of the NFL.

Kelce also made it clear that he still has plenty to give his team at this stage of his career: “I still got a lot of love for this game. You know, I still think I can go out and play at a high level, and I want to go out there and prove to myself that I could play at a better level than I did last year.

“I think that’s probably the biggest thing for me is making sure that I’m accountable for the guys in this room and every single play that I’m out there.”

A dynamic duo to watch

After a complicated 2025 campaign that saw the Kansas City Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce enter the new season determined to recapture their legendary form.

As one of the most iconic quarterback-tight end duos in NFL history, the pair built a dynasty in Kansas City, securing three Super Bowl titles (LIV, LVII, and LVIII) and breaking the all-time NFL postseason record for most playoff touchdown connections by a duo with 16.

Following a year marked by offensive rhythm breakdowns and injury setbacks, the historic duo is focused on resetting the standard, rebuilding their uncanny telepathic connection, and firing the Chiefs back into championship contention.

When will they take the field?

The Kansas City Chiefs will gear up for the upcoming campaign with three 2026 preseason matchups, opening at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 15, heading on the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, August 22, and closing out exhibition play at Arrowhead Stadium against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, August 28.

It remains uncertain whether head coach Andy Reid will give Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce any snaps during these games, as NFL teams frequently rest marquee veterans during the preseason to minimize injury risk ahead of the regular season.

“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.

However, it seems like the concerns are not as big as they initially feared. Per head coach Andy Reid, “Trey, his hip was bothering him. We sent him to a specialist just to get it checked out. Precautionary. He’s gonna be okay.”

At the end of the day, precautionary means it is to avoid anything more serious. Hence, Smith should be fine. Still, given that Mahomes is coming off an ACL tear, they need Smith to be available to protect him.

Smith got paid in 2025

Trey Smith got a four-year, $94 million contract extension in 2025. Hence, the Chiefs know his importance in this team. He has been with the Chiefs since 2021 and is committed basically for the whole decade.

Smith allowed zero regular-season sacks across 389 pass-blocking attempts during the 2025 NFL season. He is the epitome of high-level consistency. Mahomes loves having the security of Smith in front of him.

Who is playing instead of Smith?

Rookie Kahlil Benson moved from right tackle to right guard to replace the injured Smith on the first-team offense. Veteran Jaylon Moore took over at right tackle, while Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, and Creed Humphrey held down their usual spots.

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)

A week ago, Allen was carted off from practice after getting hurt during a special teams drill. Per Josh Alper of Pro-Football Talk, Allen was “catching passes from Patrick Mahomes during drills.”

Alper also added that “Allen had been doing well enough in that role to earn time with the first team before his injury and the Chiefs will be hoping he can pick up right where he left off.“

Mahomes could welcome a new weapon

Patrick Mahomes hasn’t exactly had a certified wide receiver since Tyreek Hill. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy haven’t proved enough nor shown the consistency required to be relied upon. Add that to a Travis Kelce that has been declining in production and Cyrus Allen gaining Mahomes’ confidence could be incredible for the Chiefs.

Cyrus Allen has great ability to get separation and finished his final college season at Cincinnati with 13 receiving touchdowns, showing an innate knack for finding paydirt too.

The Chiefs offense needs to improve

The Matt Nagy era regressed an otherwise unstoppable unit. Now, the Chiefs went back to Eric Bieniemy as the offensive coordinator, and hope that gives them a boost. A guy like Allen paired with the other weapons could also be an improvement if they can stay healthy and out of trouble.

Last season, the Chiefs ranked 20th in total offense. However, it must be noted that Mahomes missed some time, as well as key pieces like Rice and Worthy. Now, they’re tasked to bounce back.