Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid throws a challenge flag during the second quarter of a preseason NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
Nathan Ray Seebeck
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
There is still no Patrick Mahomes in games this preseason — despite, apparently, his desire to play in them.
But there are still more than enough flags.
And there is still a lot more Harrison Butker than touchdown celebrations.
The Chiefs lost to the Buccaneers 16-15 on Saturday night in Tampa Bay — on a night in which the viral highlight came from a kicker.
The Chiefs have not won a preseason game since 2023. Here are five observations from immediately after the latest loss:
1. The rookies who flashed
There were common themes— or purposes — with the initial wave of a defensive-filled draft class.
Athleticism .And speed at the line of scrimmage.
On back-to-back plays, they popped.
Mansoor Delane, the first-round cornerback, derailed a wide receiver screen when he read the call from the jump and forced David Sills to cut inside for a 1-yard loss.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson (98) and safety Rashad Wisdom (38) tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith (24) during a preseason NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Kim Klement Neitzel IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A snap later, R Mason Thomas, the second-round edge, read another wide receiver screen and jumped in the lane to knock down a pass.
The Chiefs lost a lot defensively this offseason — most notably cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. It’s how they tried to re-imagine their defense that stands out. They wanted to get faster, and in particular, they wanted to get faster at the line of scrimmage.
Delane made his preseason debut after a shoulder injury kept him in a no-contact jersey for the first few weeks of training camp.
Thomas had an active night.
2. The position battle
The most consequential position battle during training camp has resided at right tackle.
Kahlil Benson took a step back in that competition Saturday.
Benson, who has been tussling with Jaylon Moore for the job, is an undrafted free agent who, well, played a bit like an undrafted free agent.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (No. 9) carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Kim Klement Neitzel IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Benson got torched on two pass rushes, one of which led to a sack-fumble, and he also committed a false start penalty.
Moore played left tackle in place of Josh Simmons, who is nursing a back injury. and he didn’t exactly have his best outing, either. Benson and Moore have not only rotated at right tackle in camp but have each trialed other positions.
The constant pressure made it difficult to evaluate the quarterback play — given they weren’t exactly operating within ideal circumstances.
3. The play of the day
The ability to improve a dormant pass rush will fall to the rookies.
Well, maybe not all to the rookies.
If the Chiefs are going to get internal improvement, there is an intriguing spot from where it could derive: Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
The former first-rounder has had an especially disappointing three seasons and missed all of last year with hamstring injuries. But he’s looked healthy in camp, and looked quick Saturday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mohamed Kamara (59) pressures Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (14) during a preseason NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Anudike-Uzomah rushed around the edge and crushed quarterback Jake Browning for a brutal hit and sack — prompting Browning to need to take a play off to catch his breath.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (91) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jake Browning (5) during the first quarter of a preseason NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Anudike-Uzomah had one sack, but he was in the backfield for four quarterback pressures. He has been much quicker off the line of scrimmage in camp, and the Chiefs have been using him both off the edge and inside on passing downs.
4. The other “play” of the day
OK, maybe it’s not a play, per se.
But kicker Harrison Butker booted a 69-yard field goal to close out the half — and it had plenty of distance to spare. It might have been good from 75.
Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) makes a 69-yard field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Kim Klement Neitzel IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The boot would have broken an NFL record for the longest field goal had it occurred during the regular season.
That was the high.
Then came the lows.
Butker was perfect in the first half — from 69, 58 and 45 yards — but he missed an extra-long extra point after a penalty pushed the try back and then sent a go-ahead field goal wide right with four minutes to play.
He has taken a different approach this training camp after a rough start to 2025, now trying to put more time between his practice kicks to better replicate how it unfolds during an actual game.
5. A wide receiver who helped himself
Jalen Royals has had a tough time getting the plane off the ground since the Chiefs used a fourth-round pick on him in 2025.
He’s playing faster now, and maybe he just gained a little confidence, to boot.
Royals caught all six of his targets Saturday for 51 yards, hauling in passes from both Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals (11) catches a pass defended by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Damarion Williams (28) during a preseason NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The games allow him to display a skill — his best skill — that’s hard to replicate in practice. His physicality can make some plays after the catch.
The Chiefs were drawn to Royals because of that skill. He finished second in the nation in yards after catch per game in his final season at Utah State before the Chiefs drafted him.
The Kansas City Chiefs take the field for a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
But he had only two catches a year ago, and after a difficult start to training camp, he’s been much better lately.
This story was originally published August 22, 2026 at 9:39 PM.
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Sam McDowell is a columnist for The Star who has covered Kansas City sports for more than a decade. He has won national awards for columns, features and enterprise work. The Headliner Awards named him the 2024 national sports columnist of the year.