The Kansas City Chiefs geared up for the 2024 NFL season over the three-week-long preseason, observing incoming draft picks and making final roster decisions as they cut their active roster to 53.

Biggest Standouts

The MVP of Kansas City’s 2024 NFL preseason was fullback Carson Steele. Steele, an undrafted player out of UCLA, racked up a total of 87 rushing yards on 11 carries with a pair of touchdowns. Steele caught the public eye in week three of the preseason against the Chicago Bears. This was in large part due to a 32-yard run that included a physical stiff-arm that set the Chiefs up at the 1-yard line before he punched it in for a touchdown.

Another standout in the backfield was second-year player Deneric Prince. The running back from Tulsa stacked up yards with consistent play in weeks one and two before carrying the ball only three times in week three. Over the first two weeks, Prince gained a total of 63 yards on just 11 carries for an average of 5.7 yards per carry.

Looking at the defense, cornerback Jaden Hicks out of Washington State impressed fans in his first NFL action. Hicks totaled 14 total tackles over the three games and showcased consistent lockdown coverage in the secondary.

Did the Starters Play?

Patrick Mahomes and the starting offense rolled out onto the field for several drives during the first two weeks of preseason play. Mahomes ended up with 120 yards while completing 11-18 passes, including a viral behind-the-back pass to tight end Travis Kelce. The only drawback with playing starters is the risk of injury. Newly acquired wide receiver Marquise Brown suffered a joint dislocation in his left shoulder that will likely sideline him for at least one week of the regular season.

Preseason Week 1 –  Jacksonville Jaguars

In week one of the preseason, the Chiefs lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-13. Both starting offenses only played one drive, where Jacksonville took an early 7-3 lead, largely thanks to a 73-yard return by wide receiver Parker Washington.

All three Kansas City quarterbacks saw action, with the biggest standout being Notre Dame’s Ian Book who went 8/9 for 46 yards. Steele had four rushes for 29 yards and Prince had four rushes for 16 yards. Wide receiver Nikko Remigio out of Fresno State caught three balls for 35 yards and wide receiver Cornell Powell also had three catches, amounting for 24 yards.

On the defensive end, one standout in the secondary was Keith Taylor Jr., a third-year player out of Washington. Taylor Jr. finished with a total of six tackles, working from sideline to sideline. Two more defensive backs who made an impact were Christian Roland-Wallace with four tackles, including a hit on the quarterback, and former Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie with three tackles. Gillespie was signed by Kansas City after the Houston Texans released him in the offseason.

Preseason Week 2 – Detroit Lions

Kansas City lost their second game of the preseason 24-23, as Lions kicker Jake Bates kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired. First-round pick Xavier Worthy made his first appearance, racking up three catches for 62 yards and a touchdown along with one rush for 11 yards. Fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice snagged four balls for 35 yards.

As for the backups, wide receiver Cornell Powell caught a long 64-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Oladokun. The Chiefs’ defense was well-rounded, as nine players had five or more tackles. Hicks recorded a pass defended and totaled six tackles. Roland-Wallace finished as the leading tackler with nine tackles while also having a pass defended. The linebacker core stepped up with Swayze Bozeman and Cam Jones contributing 14 tackles total.

The Chiefs got off to a great start, gaining a 13-0 lead in the second quarter before Detroit started putting points on the board. A dramatic sequence of turnovers commenced, including a fumble from Ian Book giving the Lions the ball back inside the Kansas City 10. However, Detroit was able to come back and eventually secure the win. Fumbling was a frequent issue at this point in the preseason, as the Chiefs had put the ball on the ground nine times, losing the ball twice in just two weeks.

Preseason Week 3 – Chicago Bears

Week three saw play solely from the backups, where the Bears handed the Chiefs a 34-21 loss. Book pushed for a roster spot by going 6/9 for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Montrell Washington made an impression in the receiver room thanks to a 49-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Despite allowing 34 total points and 164 rushing yards, players like Hicks and Bozeman played well with 10 combined tackles. Third-year defensive back Jaylen Watson had seven tackles and a pass defensed recorded.

The Chiefs play in the first game of the NFL regular season on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7:20 p.m.. The Chiefs will face off against the Baltimore Ravens at their home stadium, on GEHA field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com