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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes II is the world’s greatest football player, and new addition Carson Wentz is locked in as his backup. Mahomes spent camp meeting and clicking with a handful of new targets, with a goal of developing the deep-ball connections the team has missed without Tyreek Hill. The preseason finale was dedicated entirely to deciding whether ex-Saint Ian Book has a future fighting for the No. 3 quarterback spot. Book offers some mobility, but he’s not needed on the active roster, and his profile may be a bit too high to stash on the practice squad.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire barely suited up this preseason, but that’s actually a great sign for his 2024 role, which looks secure. Isiah Pacheco remains the clear starter, but the team doesn’t want to be left with unproven options behind him. Edwards-Helaire no longer has Jerick McKinnon to contend with; his competition now is uninspiring at best. Deneric Prince and Carson Steele were the names to monitor through the preseason, but neither looks any closer to challenging for meaningful touches. Of the two, Prince profiles as more of a traditional No. 3 running back, which would be his path to the roster. However, his game action wasn’t impressive, and he had a special-teams gaffe that cost the team a safety. If Steele is to stick, it will be as a do-it-all fullback, just as Michael Burton once did for coach Andy Reid. Steele has blocked, caught passes, and played special teams in the preseason—and he’s turned 11 rushes into 87 yards to boot.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Once Marquise Brown returns from his shoulder injury, likely a month or so into the season, the top of the depth chart shouldn’t surprise anyone. Brown and Rashee Rice should dominate snaps and mid-range targets, while the blazing Xavier Worthy will work his way into situational use. Behind them, Justin Watson remains the trusted big-bodied jump-ball specialist. Locked firmly into the No. 2 role while Brown heals, Watson didn’t even suit up for the preseason finale. Justyn Ross often wows with dazzling catches in camp, but a lack of special-teams value doesn’t help his case. Kadarius Toney is also “in a battle to make the team.” That comes verbatim from Andy Reid, who has seen Toney’s athleticism up close for parts of two seasons but has yet to see much return. “He’s a talented kid… him staying healthy was the main thing,” Reid said. If there’s a final spot to spare, special teams coordinator Dave Toub has “pounded the table” for Nikko Remigio. In his final college season, Remigio scored twice on punt returns and opened eyes with a hurdling return against Chicago. Both The Athletic and ESPN expect the team to keep Brown, Rice, Worthy, Watson, Hardman, Moore, and Ross.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Travis Kelce worked out on the field before the preseason finale, and it feels safe to pencil him into the starting role. The future Hall of Famer is healthy, fit, and still dropping jaws. The new wide receivers are notable additions, but Kelce’s shared connection with Patrick Mahomes II remains the centerpiece of this attack. Without it, none of the field stretchers will be able to press defenses down the field. Rookie Jared Wiley, who just cost the team a fourth-round pick, has likely won the No. 3 job over veteran Irv Smith. Smith has long boasted athleticism and an Alabama pedigree, but injuries have sapped his every opportunity. Wiley isn’t a threat to Noah Gray, Kelce’s direct backup, but The Athletic’s Nate Taylor sees Wiley as a potential weapon at some point in his rookie season.
Preseason Updates: Defense
Not much can be gauged from the defense’s woeful showing in the preseason finale. Few starters or even key reserves played more than a few snaps, if any; coordinator Steve Spagnuolo seems satisfied with the unit as it enters 2024. Spagnuolo’s defense is aggressive, and he always looks to make splash plays on the ball. It’s essential that his cornerbacks can hold man coverage for chunks of time. With L’Jarius Sneed gone to Tennessee, there’s an open battle for the No. 2 cornerback spot among a handful of prospects. It’s been speculated that the team will monitor the league’s post-camp cutdowns and add a veteran, and Spagnuolo hasn’t shot down the idea. "I think if you were to talk to Coach Reid or [GM Brett Veach], I think they'd tell you they're always looking," Spagnuolo said last week.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Special teams coach Dave Toub is still playing coy about who will handle returns on opening weekend, specifically mentioning Mecole Hardman, Nikko Remigio, Carson Steele, Deneric Prince, and Skyy Moore when asked. Remigio still feels like a longshot for the final roster, making veterans Hardman and Moore the most likely candidates.
Updates from Week 3
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes II closed out camp with a renewed focus on red-zone success. In 2023, the Chiefs fell from 2nd to 19th in red-zone rate, and last Thursday’s practice hinted at an aggressive, diverse approach near the goal line, with several different targets scoring on short throws. Mahomes would love to find dependable threats beyond Travis Kelce; to that end, he’s been throwing camp touchdowns to wideouts, backs, and all the tight ends. He looks due for positive touchdown regression this season, and this could well be where it comes from. It could also come from the deep ball, another shaky area from 2023 that Mahomes has discussed throughout camp.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
This backfield looks as locked-in as they come, with no real drama left to track. Neither Isiah Pacheco nor Clyde Edwards-Helaire factored into the second preseason game; they’ll dominate snaps and touches in this backfield while healthy. Behind them, Deneric Prince has cemented himself in the No. 3 role, thanks to another strong camp and an impressive 41-yard jaunt against the Lions. There’s not much volume to be had in that spot, but Prince has shown he can produce if injuries strike ahead of him. Rookie fullback Carson Steele has also made a case for a roster spot. Steele ran, caught, and lead-blocked against Detroit, and Fox4KC’s P.J. Green points out that Andy Reid has long kept trusted fullbacks like Michael Burton around. The team continues to seek out usage for ex-rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, evaluating him as both a kick returner and a kicker.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Rashee Rice, who looks unlikely to face an early-season suspension, operated as the clear No. 1 wideout in the second preseason game. He dominated the first two possessions; at one point, he was targeted by Patrick Mahomes II on four consecutive snaps. Rice sat down soon after, his role secured as the only Chief capable of challenging Travis Kelce in volume. He’s still being used on all the short and intermediate routes and has the look of a PPR goldmine. Rookie Xavier Worthy drew one more target than Rice, including a 39-yard catch and a 22-yard touchdown. Worthy also took an 11-yard carry, and he’s clearly running alongside Rice as integral cogs of the offense. If he winds up as valuable to the offense as Mahomes and Andy Reid have suggested, it will be fair to wonder about Hollywood Brown’s fit when he returns from injury. The Lions game wasn’t kind to Kadarius Toney, who managed to commit two penalties on his very first snap. For an enigma like Toney, who’s battled injuries, drops, and mental miscues for three-plus years, it’s not the kind of start that earns a Week 1 role. Most likely, the team will rotate through Rice, Worthy, and Justin Watson (a personal favorite of Mahomes’) to run their typical routes, then see how Brown fits around Week 4. At times, they’ll turn to trusty Mecole Hardman and perhaps Toney in gadget roles. That would leave little to nothing for Skyy Moore, who returned kicks against Detroit, but wasn’t one of 15 Chiefs to draw a target. For what it’s worth, PJ Green likes Moore to stick on the roster, if only as a returner, at the expense of Toney.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Not that he needs it, but Travis Kelce has enjoyed a fantastic camp and preseason. Just months after Kelce pondered retirement, Patrick Mahomes II has gushed over the future Hall of Famer’s approach. “It’s remarkable, honestly. I mean, you see him every day at practice; he’s working, he’s in there getting the reps. He gets mad when they take him out.” Behind Kelce, it’s been a surprise to see talented veteran Irv Smith slip behind the pack. Injuries have beset Smith’s promising career, and the team has turned to Noah Gray and rookie Jared Wiley for depth.
Preseason Updates: Defense
It could be argued that the Chiefs won last season’s Super Bowl more with their defense than their offense, which wasn’t by accident. It’s an identity they’ll lean on as the offensive talent ages and regenerates. Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has built a fast, aggressive unit that attacks the ball and creates splash plays. And it’s a deep unit, too, one that’s been drafted beautifully in recent years. They didn’t face the Lions' starters, but crucial new faces like cornerbacks Josh Williams and Chamarri Conner showed solidly in their early reps, per P.J. Green. That’s been a key battle as the team progresses from L’Jarius Sneed.
Preseason Updates: Offensive Lines
Center Creed Humphrey (2x Pro Bowl) has become an elite starter, arguably the best at his position in the league. Left guard Joe Thuney is also excellent but has been playing through a pectoral injury during the preseason. With Wanya Morris recovering (knee), rookie Kingsley Suamataia (Round 2 – BYU) has taken control of the left tackle job. There was a scary moment in camp as right tackle Jawaan Taylor suffered a shoulder injury. Later, Head Coach Andy Reid told the media that Taylor "should be okay." Lucas Niang is taking Taylor's place. Even with the change at left tackle, the Chiefs rank 5th overall.
Updates from Week 2
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes II is fresh off his third Super Bowl title, but he knows there are still areas of concern for the Chiefs’ air attack. Despite being reigning champs, the Chiefs are installing what SI’s Albert Breer calls a “new-look offense,” with Mahomes aiming to reintroduce the deep ball to a unit that ranked 31st in completed air yards per throw in 2023. By early accounts, Mahomes is making strides in this area, focusing on the downfield threat to open up opportunities underneath. Deep targets like Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy were brought in specifically to add that dimension to the offense.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
If the preseason opener is any indication, Clyde Edwards-Helaire hasn’t dropped as far down the depth chart as some expected. After brief appearances, Edwards-Helaire quickly followed starter Isiah Pacheco off the field, leaving the remaining snaps to Deneric Prince and Carson Steele. Prince, who impressed in pre-draft testing last year, continues to stand out in camp. Meanwhile, Steele is increasingly likely to secure a roster spot as a fullback. Coach Andy Reid has traditionally kept at least one fullback on the roster, and he seems intrigued by Steele’s versatility. While the running back depth chart isn’t deep overall, it was once a concern when Pacheco was rising through the ranks. With Jerick McKinnon no longer on the roster, there could be 300-400 snaps available for a dynamic young player to step up.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The Chiefs have methodically rebuilt their receiver depth chart over the past three offseasons. Former Raven and Cardinal Hollywood Brown is a crucial part of that, but he’ll be sidelined for at least a month after separating his shoulder on the first play of the preseason. For context, Tyreek Hill suffered a similar injury in 2019 and was out for four weeks. While this setback doesn’t threaten Brown’s starting job or his chances of becoming Mahomes’ No. 1 receiver, it does slow his integration into the offense. Brown’s injury is good news for Rashee Rice, who looks unlikely to face any league discipline until late in the season, if at all. Rookie Xavier Worthy, who first caught attention with his 4.21 speed at the NFL Scouting Combine, has impressed Mahomes beyond his speed. Skyy Moore has been working as Brown’s temporary backup, but Worthy seems more likely to make an early impact. Justyn Ross drew attention in the preseason opener with a dazzling toe-tapping catch against the Jaguars. “Yes... maybe we’re falling for it again,” Arrowhead Pride’s Matt Stagner commented, “but Ross is still an intriguing go-up-and-get-it receiver – and he’s the only one on the roster.” Ross and Justin Watson are both big physical options, though Watson was recently carted off the practice field with a worrisome foot injury. The stage could be set for Ross to seize the No. 4 role from Watson.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Travis Kelce enters what could be his final preseason healthy, focused, and passionate. He remains the primary focus of the air attack, and it’s unlikely anyone will significantly cut into that lead. Behind Kelce, heir apparent Noah Gray has had yet another strong camp. Gray’s role in the offense has steadily increased, reaching 706 snaps last season, and he continues to draw praise for his athleticism. The team seems likely to keep four tight ends on the final roster, which makes fourth-round rookie Jared Wiley an intriguing name to watch. Wiley was a touchdown machine at TCU and could excel in the turn-and-score routes Kelce has dominated for a decade.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
Harrison Butker signed a four-year, $25.6 million extension with $17.8 million guaranteed. The move gave the Chiefs $1.5 million more in cap space, while Butker will receive nearly a 100% raise this season, bringing his salary to $8.3 million thanks to a signing bonus. He’s currently the second kicker off the board in fantasy drafts, trailing only Justin Tucker.
Preseason Updates: Defense
This Chiefs dynasty is rightly celebrated for its offense, but the future lies with the defense, where much of the recent draft focus has been. CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani recently named two starters, cornerback Trent McDuffie and linebacker Nick Bolton, to his All-Under 25 Team. McDuffie was an All-Pro last year, but with fellow rising star L'Jarius Sneed no longer across the field, the spotlight will be even brighter. Coaches are still sorting through a committee to replace Sneed, which could disrupt the delicate balance that helped win the Super Bowl in overtime.
Preseason Updates: Returners
The Chiefs have several options to return kicks this year, including Montrell Washington, Kadarius Toney, Xavier Worthy, and Mecole Hardman. However, none have yet established themselves as the frontrunner. Rookie Louis Rees-Zammit, transitioning from rugby to football, is a great story to watch, though he faces a tough battle to make the final roster.
Updates from Week 1
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's What You Need To Know From Every Team This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Not everyone in training camp has something to prove; with his Super Bowl rings and MVP awards, Patrick Mahomes II is merely tuning up at Chiefs practices. One area of team focus, though, is red-zone efficiency, where the Chiefs finished just 19th in 2023. Mahomes is no stranger to improvising near the goal line, as displayed last Sunday when he capped red zone drills with a jump-pass touchdown. Any new wrinkles are welcomed after Mahomes’ pass touchdowns cratered from 41 in 2022 to just 27 last year.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
For several reasons, former first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire continues to fall out of the team’s short- and long-term plans. Isiah Pacheco has run away with the lead role, and Edwards-Helaire and his one-year contract now look like afterthoughts. There’s been chatter over ex-rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, but he’ll likely focus on kickoffs and gadget plays – provided he makes the final roster. Meanwhile, another intriguing youngster has flown under the radar: undrafted rookie Carson Steele, who produced nearly 4,000 scrimmage yards over 3 college seasons. Steele and Deneric Prince, who stood out in last year’s camp, drew a chunk of first- and second-team reps in early practices. Steele brings running, catching, and blocking ability, and it’s worth pointing out that he led the NCAA in yards after contact in 2023. “Shoulder tackles aren’t going to get it done with him,” A-to-Z Sports’ Charles Goldman noted last week. It would no longer qualify as a surprise to see Steele, Prince, and perhaps Keaontay Ingram fill out the final depth chart behind early-down bell cow Pacheco.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The receiver room has been turned on its face for the third straight offseason. Veteran Hollywood Brown was added as an all-over-the-field threat, and rookie blazer Xavier Worthy brings his Tyreek Hill-esque 4.21 dash from the University of Texas. It remains to be seen how Rashee Rice, the team’s top wideout by default, will be affected by his wildly eventful offseason. The Chiefs and the fantasy world won't have to worry about missed games until late season, as Rice’s trial date has been docketed for Week 14. Still, Mahomes is focused on learning and establishing timing with his new weapons. Last week, he gushed about Brown’s ability to win on all field levels. While much of the league seems to view Brown as a journeyman, Mahomes notes that he’s only 25 and still ascending as an athlete: “He just keeps getting better and better. “Mahomes also sees impressive all-around ability, not just footspeed, from Worthy. “I mean, you all saw the catch that went viral,” the quarterback told media last week. “But just running routes and doing all different types of stuff. He’s another guy that’s not just a speed guy, but someone that plays tough [and] runs great routes.” Those three appear locked into the top spots entering camp, but there’s ample competition behind them. Third-year man Skyy Moore, who has yet to find an offensive niche, faces an uphill battle to stick on the roster. He’s fighting for situational snaps with Super Bowl hero Mecole Hardman, hand-picked Mahomes favorite Justin Watson, Kadarius Toney, Justyn Ross, and others. For his part, Toney spent much of early camp with the starters as a gadget man – until limping off the field with yet another lower-body injury last Wednesday.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
As his 12th Chiefs camp dawns, most of Travis Kelce’s news comes from off the field. The future Hall of Famer has nothing to prove in the pre-season: while health concerns may crop up more and more at his age, Kelce may actually be a bit underrated at 35. Backup Noah Gray continues to look like Kelce’s heir apparent, but there are also eyes on fourth-rounder Jared Wiley, who brings a 6-foot-6 frame and turned 12 of his final 71 college catches into touchdowns. “All aboard the hype train for Wiley,” pronounced A to Z Sports’ Nick Roesch, who sees the rookie as “an immediate red zone threat” for an offense that lacks them.
Preseason Updates: Defense
The Chiefs have excelled at drafting cornerback talent over the past few years, and that record will be tested as L’Jarius Sneed heads to Tennessee. There is no shortage of bodies vying for snaps alongside Trent McDuffie, and coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will likely look to draw what he can from a blend of several of them. The core of Spagnuolo’s scheme is playmaking, which is the focus for holdovers Chamarri Conner and Joshua Williams, each of whom saw 400+ snaps for last year’s defense.
