Sports

Chiefs News: It’s time to key in on position battles for the preseason

Nairavoice · Aug 10, 2026 · 11 min read

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for a game this week, an exhibition against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium; kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Head coach Andy Reid seems to be strongly “leaning” toward Patrick Mahomes not playing, but there are plenty of other players he will be looking to see in live action. The lineups we’ve seen so far in training camp could change by the time Week 1 gets here, including the rotation in the backfield behind starting running back Kenneth Walker.

Second running back: Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith, Emmett Johnson

Other running backs also have looked strong, with Demercado and Smith getting most of the second-team reps in recent practices.
Advertisement

Smith, the only Chiefs player in the group returning from last season, is the most versatile. “We’re moving him all over the place,” said Andy Reid, who also singled out Smith’s improved pass-blocking ability.

Johnson, the fifth-round draft pick from Nebraska, also has been getting reps with the second team. The Chiefs should improve the number of explosive runs with this group and look to identify their top a short-yardage back.

Second running back: Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith, Emmett Johnson

Other running backs also have looked strong, with Demercado and Smith getting most of the second-team reps in recent practices.

Smith, the only Chiefs player in the group returning from last season, is the most versatile. “We’re moving him all over the place,” said Andy Reid, who also singled out Smith’s improved pass-blocking ability.

Johnson, the fifth-round draft pick from Nebraska, also has been getting reps with the second team. The Chiefs should improve the number of explosive runs with this group and look to identify their top a short-yardage back.

I think it’s safe to declare Patrick Mahomes completely fine. Every report out of camp reads like he isn’t coming off a nasty knee injury, so why should we fret?

Peter Woods looked the part when the pads came on. The first-round DT could be massive for K.C.’s defense.

Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson seems poised to swipe the starting right tackle job. This feels like it warrants more attention.

I think it’s safe to declare Patrick Mahomes completely fine. Every report out of camp reads like he isn’t coming off a nasty knee injury, so why should we fret?

Peter Woods looked the part when the pads came on. The first-round DT could be massive for K.C.’s defense.

Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson seems poised to swipe the starting right tackle job. This feels like it warrants more attention.

3. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes made a handful of classic throws.

Mahomes showed off a handful of the off-balance throws for which he’s synonymous on Saturday, firing a pair of near identical passes across his body while on the run to a receiver in the middle of the field. Mahomes found Andrew Armstrong on the first instance, followed by a throw to Nikko Remigio a little bit later.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP, who has participated in every 11-on-11 segment of training camp so far, spoke following practice about his progress as he continues to work his way back from last season’s knee injury.

3. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes made a handful of classic throws.

Mahomes showed off a handful of the off-balance throws for which he’s synonymous on Saturday, firing a pair of near identical passes across his body while on the run to a receiver in the middle of the field. Mahomes found Andrew Armstrong on the first instance, followed by a throw to Nikko Remigio a little bit later.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP, who has participated in every 11-on-11 segment of training camp so far, spoke following practice about his progress as he continues to work his way back from last season’s knee injury.

3. Garrett Nussmeier

Now that he has an extended opportunity, Nussmeier’s performance could have massive implications for his chances of securing the QB3 job. It will be his first real opportunity to play with the rest of the squad, and it’s possible that he receives snaps with some of the first-team starters as well.

While it’s highly unlikely that Chris Oladokun jumps him up the depth chart, K.C. is in a tricky situation with Nussmeier. If he plays poorly in the preseason, the Chiefs could decide to run with two quarterbacks on the active 53-man roster to open the campaign and leave Oladokun on the practice squad. Nussmeier cannot simply be placed on the practice squad like Oladokun as a drafted rookie, as he would first have to clear the NFL waiver wire.

Now that he has an extended opportunity, Nussmeier’s performance could have massive implications for his chances of securing the QB3 job. It will be his first real opportunity to play with the rest of the squad, and it’s possible that he receives snaps with some of the first-team starters as well.

While it’s highly unlikely that Chris Oladokun jumps him up the depth chart, K.C. is in a tricky situation with Nussmeier. If he plays poorly in the preseason, the Chiefs could decide to run with two quarterbacks on the active 53-man roster to open the campaign and leave Oladokun on the practice squad. Nussmeier cannot simply be placed on the practice squad like Oladokun as a drafted rookie, as he would first have to clear the NFL waiver wire.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns for his second season alongside Rob Gronkowski to inspire fans and rally communities throughout T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition.

Mahomes and Gronkowski are joined by standout college athletes Dante Moore, Ashlea Klam, CJ Carr, Rocco Becht and Kewan Lacy, representing divisions across the country and encouraging fans to support their hometown schools in the race for game-changing prizes.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns for his second season alongside Rob Gronkowski to inspire fans and rally communities throughout T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition.

Mahomes and Gronkowski are joined by standout college athletes Dante Moore, Ashlea Klam, CJ Carr, Rocco Becht and Kewan Lacy, representing divisions across the country and encouraging fans to support their hometown schools in the race for game-changing prizes.

“With the uncertainty at the top of the depth chart, it seems like the team needs to keep more than five receivers. There’s more to find out about Royals and Armstrong, but that’s more than can be said about Remigio. He has maximized his role in Kansas City, and the return job should be handed off to Brashard Smith. Allen has lined up and caught punts and kicks as well.”

Remigio was an exclusive-rights free agent this winter, returning to the team with a new contract extension on the day the free agent market officially opened in March. Remigio made a strong impression in training camp in 2024, averaging 33.25 yards on kick returns and 21.0 yards on punts, though the numbers leveled off during the regular season.

“With the uncertainty at the top of the depth chart, it seems like the team needs to keep more than five receivers. There’s more to find out about Royals and Armstrong, but that’s more than can be said about Remigio. He has maximized his role in Kansas City, and the return job should be handed off to Brashard Smith. Allen has lined up and caught punts and kicks as well.”

Remigio was an exclusive-rights free agent this winter, returning to the team with a new contract extension on the day the free agent market officially opened in March. Remigio made a strong impression in training camp in 2024, averaging 33.25 yards on kick returns and 21.0 yards on punts, though the numbers leveled off during the regular season.

Only 72 hours after celebrating the signing of veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, the Washington Commanders lost five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps, an injury that will keep him out for a good portion of the season, if not its entirety.

Replacing a player of that caliber is a tall task, especially this late in the offseason. Washington may add to its offensive line — for depth, if not more — but for now, the plan is to turn to Brandon Coleman at left tackle, according to a team source who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Only 72 hours after celebrating the signing of veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, the Washington Commanders lost five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps, an injury that will keep him out for a good portion of the season, if not its entirety.

Replacing a player of that caliber is a tall task, especially this late in the offseason. Washington may add to its offensive line — for depth, if not more — but for now, the plan is to turn to Brandon Coleman at left tackle, according to a team source who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Head coach Dan Campbell said he believes that this retirement could stick for Bridgewater, who had previously retired after the 2023 season only to return to the Lions the next season.

“I think he can only truly answer that, but I feel like this is where it’s at for sure right now. This is where it needs to be and where he felt,” Campbell said. “And his biggest worry was letting us down. That’s the type of guy he is, and he’s not.

“That’s as far as it can get. He meant a lot.”

Head coach Dan Campbell said he believes that this retirement could stick for Bridgewater, who had previously retired after the 2023 season only to return to the Lions the next season.

“I think he can only truly answer that, but I feel like this is where it’s at for sure right now. This is where it needs to be and where he felt,” Campbell said. “And his biggest worry was letting us down. That’s the type of guy he is, and he’s not.

“That’s as far as it can get. He meant a lot.”

Jones did not kick in high school or college.

“I just have some history in playing soccer,” he said. “I don’t know how I even got to kick. Me and I guess, I can’t remember… I think I just was joking with ‘Riz’ like, ‘Yo, I can kick if you ever need an emergency-kicker-type of situation.’ Then he called my bluff and put me to the test one day, I think it was some time last year. I made an extra point. Apparently, there are a lot of guys on the team that can also kick, but I guess I just got the opportunity today. [I] went three-for-four, so not too bad.”

Jones did not kick in high school or college.

“I just have some history in playing soccer,” he said. “I don’t know how I even got to kick. Me and I guess, I can’t remember… I think I just was joking with ‘Riz’ like, ‘Yo, I can kick if you ever need an emergency-kicker-type of situation.’ Then he called my bluff and put me to the test one day, I think it was some time last year. I made an extra point. Apparently, there are a lot of guys on the team that can also kick, but I guess I just got the opportunity today. [I] went three-for-four, so not too bad.”

3. R Mason Thomas should see more snaps as time goes on

With second-year defensive end Ashton Gillotte missing nearly all of the second week of camp with an injury, the primary workload for the first team went to Felix Anudike-Uzomah, while rookie R Mason Thomas mostly took snaps with the second team and a few rotational situations with the first team.

The team appears to be willing to give Anudike-Uzomah every chance to earn playing time after struggling through the first three seasons of his career, but on Friday during the two-minute drill, it was Thomas who walked on to the field when the first-team defense took on the starting offense.

The two-minute drill can be where games are won and lost, and the team did not hide the fact that the rookie is already one of the defense’s best pass-rush options.

3. R Mason Thomas should see more snaps as time goes on

With second-year defensive end Ashton Gillotte missing nearly all of the second week of camp with an injury, the primary workload for the first team went to Felix Anudike-Uzomah, while rookie R Mason Thomas mostly took snaps with the second team and a few rotational situations with the first team.

The team appears to be willing to give Anudike-Uzomah every chance to earn playing time after struggling through the first three seasons of his career, but on Friday during the two-minute drill, it was Thomas who walked on to the field when the first-team defense took on the starting offense.

The two-minute drill can be where games are won and lost, and the team did not hide the fact that the rookie is already one of the defense’s best pass-rush options.