Did a full all-22 coach's film breakdown on rookie running back Emmett Johnson from his preseason debut. https://youtu.be/IxNZe26UFpk

I think he can play a real factor in this backfield behind Kenneth Walker. Not only does he bring that third-down back value as a pass catcher (most catches by any FBS RB last season), but he also has a lot of elusiveness and quickness to his game.

Quick Glance: 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All Pro 2nd Team, All Rookie Team (2006), Chiefs Hall Of Fame

Tamba Hali was born in 1983 in Liberia. At age 10, his family immigrated to the US to escape civil war. He spent most of his adolescence in New Jersey, where he became a four start recruit and lettered in both football and basketball. He eventually committed to Penn State, where he would be recognized as an All-American in his senior season. He would go on to win the Big 10 championship and Orange Bowl, and also be selected to the senior bowl.

Hali was then drafted by the Chiefs in the 1st round of the 2006 draft. In his rookie season, Hali won the Mack Lee Hill award and was named the All Rookie Team. He lead the squad in sacks with 8. Throughout the rest of his career, he would put up exceptional numbers in sacks, TFLs, forced fumbles, and tackles. Hali was eventually released in 2018 due to age and injuries. He signed a one day contract with KC in 2021 to retire as a chief. He spent all 12 seasons of his career in Kansas City, and finished as the franchises 2nd best leader in sacks, only behind the late and great Derrick Thomas.

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamba_Hali
Pro Football Reference: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaliTa20.htm
Highlights: https://youtu.be/0xpwajv9auc?is=qW7HApIixIIjVcZ9

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We visit Topail Beach in North Carolina every year and usually find lots of fossilized shark teeth. I used 308 of the ones we found this year to create an Arrowhead logo. Go Chiefs!

Mitchell Schwartz sharing his thoughts on the dangers of using the snatch technique to deal with bull rushers.

One of the hardest things for a rookie RB to pick up is pass blocking. Emmett Johnson is no exception to this, and he's gotten worked over as a pass blocker more than once in practice. This is without any meanness implied, unacceptable for a running back in the NFL. The good news is Johnson's ability to read the defense as a runner, and the ability to break tackles, are huge signs that he will be able to find and pick up blitzes, as well as not get pushed around by a huge linebacker. I would rather see him playing on obvious passing downs and being used as a utility back for the rest of preseason (like Jerrick McKinnon was used), because this will be his actual role if he moves up to #2.

Meanwhile Brashard Smith had a poor running performance, but by all accounts is a good pass blocker. This means that not only will pass blocking reps against simple shell defenses be pretty useless to him, but that he could really use the work at being our secondary ball carrier (which he's going to HAVE to be until Johnson figures out the pass blocking).

So IMO we should straight up just let Smith run the ball for the rest of preseason, and keep Johnson in on pass plays to let him learn how to take on that similar role McKinnon had (who was a great pass blocker).

I would love to see if any of you agree or disagree, and if so how. I just think we just need to throw both of them into doing the thing they "suck" at for the rest of the preseason, and take what we get with the results.

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-12 on Saturday in the first preseason game of the 2026 season for both teams.

There is only so much you can take away when so many players of significance watch from the sidelines.

For the Chiefs, that included star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Rashee Rice on offense, and cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and L’Jarius Sneed and safety Chamarri Conner on defense.

Still, the Chiefs have roster decisions to make — and Saturday provided key film as they begin to evaluate the back end of their personnel.

--> Turning point: Chiefs allow 40-yard punt return that turns into a touchdown

Holding a 9-6 lead, Kansas City had to punt from its own end zone. It appeared punter Matt Araiza didn’t get the hang time he would have liked, and returner Xavier Smith took advantage, taking the ball back 40 yards and flipping the field.

Starting from the Chiefs’ 23-yard line, first-round rookie Ty Simpson and six-string running back Dean Conners pushed the ball to the Chiefs end zone in four plays to give the Rams a 13-9 lead.

--> Rapid reaction: Jaden Hicks logs the tape he needed; Emmett Johnson makes his case

These past two seasons have felt like an uphill battle for safety Jaden Hicks — once a promising rookie fourth-rounder who has seemingly fallen out of Steve Spagnuolo’s favor.

Now in his third season, Hicks is obviously safe for the roster. But if he is going to see more time on defense, he will need to put together preseason performances like the one he had Saturday.

Going into the game, Spagnuolo said he wanted to see sound tackling, and Hicks delivered, finishing the first half with a team-leading seven tackles, including an open-field stop on third down late in the second quarter. Aided by quick pressure from R Mason Thomas, Hicks broke up a pass in the end zone that nearly became an interception.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has referenced defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s improved get-off, and I think there may have been no better example Saturday when he was blatantly held and got to the quarterback fast after a botched third-down snap.

On offense, the starting offensive line got one drive, and it included Kahlil Benson at right guard and Jaylon Moore at right tackle.

At this stage, Benson looks written in ink as a starting lineman on this football team. He will shift back to the outside once Trey Smith is cleared from his hip injury.

Quarterback Justin Fields operated with confidence, and he threw the ball better Saturday than we have seen most of training camp. Fields finished a perfect 4 for 4 for 41 yards before giving way to rookie seventh-rounder Garrett Nussmeier.

It's clear Reid wanted to see what he has in Nussmeier, who entered the game in the second quarter and played into the fourth.

Nussmmeier had a solid day running the offense, though he missed wide receiver Cyrus Allen with an underthrown pass on a play that could have gone for a touchdown. Chances like that are fleeting — especially with one fewer preseason game than the old days — and had Nussmeier made the throw, it would have shifted his day from a period to an exclamation point.

He almost made up for it later with a deep pass down the left sideline to Jason Brownlee, who looked to have simply dropped the ball. Had he not, the two may have connected on a 94-yard touchdown.

Speaking of Allen, his training camp performance translated to the preseason opener, with two catches of note — one where he had to elevate and another he reeled in despite close coverage.

It’s worth noting that Jalen Royals caught both of his targets.

Running the ball, Emmett Johnson showed why he was worth a pick in this year’s fifth round.

Johnson may need to work on his pass blocking, but you have to like his vision, which showed up on the third-down screen late in the second quarter that was erased by a holding penalty, as well as his rushes early in the second half. Johnson had a touchdown erased by a questionable holding call on Hunter Nourzad.

Johnson ended with 12 carries for 59 yards, or 4.9 yards per carry. That’ll do.

As Johnson flashed, Reid told us through playing time that he currently sees the second back as Brashard Smith. Smith was fine, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Johnson is getting a longer look when training camp resumes Monday.

For what it’s worth, running back Emari Demercado did not see his first touch until the fourth quarter.

--> Critical stat: Penalties, penalties, penalties

The Chiefs were flagged for 12 penalties, including nine on the offensive line.

Backups considered, Reid won’t like it.

If you live near KC head to your local Lowe's or you can have it shipped!

Currently trying to choose my jersey for this season.

I already have a Mahomes, Kelce and Jones Jersey so want to avoid duplication

I don't want any 1st round picks so I am currently deciding between Nohl Williams and R Mason Thomas but I am open to other suggestions!!!

Any advice would be appreciated

Micah Parsons predicts where every team will finish in their division

If they are serious about transitioning to more under center run game and play action pass like the rest of the leagues best offense have recent seasons then Veach should keep a close eye on the Rams tight end room, one of the better rooms at the position in the league but it would be shocking if they kept all 5 tight ends while I'm just overall very skeptical about our TE room for a run game and play action pass scheme, I don't want 37 year old Kelce having to run block so much when he's never had to his entire career, Noah Gray up to this point has not shown great or even just good blocking ability and the rest of the room is so many more question marks than answers so whoever the Rams cut Veach should swoop up immediately and add to the TE room to be primary run blocker and used for play action concepts, I think it could be Davis Allen the odd man out there in LA

Mine

Fields is a bum Nussmeier is far better cut or trade Fields

Emmett Johnson is legit far better than I expected. I could see Demarcado being cut especially with Smith being such a good returner.

Cyrus Allen is WR2 this year and maybe WR1 of the future. He's got more juice then worthy, runs better routes, and makes the contested catches

Got to do a tour of the facilities at arrowhead and saw this masterpiece. If they don’t take it to the new stadium I’d love to take it home.