On a last-second play, the Chicago Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 29-27 on Friday night, dropping the Chiefs to 0-3 for the 2025 preseason. But that\u2019s not what we\u2019ll remember about the preseason finale.<\/p>\n
Now, that\u2019s what we needed to see in the pass protection!<\/p>\n
The No. 1 story surrounding the Chiefs since their disastrous performance in Super Bowl LIX has been the state of their offensive line. Similar to how general manager Brett Veach rebuilt the line following Kansas City\u2019s Super Bowl LV loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he made several key moves this offseason, hoping to turn a clear weakness into a potential strength.<\/p>\n
Veach signed former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency \u2014 and then in the NFL Draft, acquired Ohio State standout Josh Simmons after he slipped in the first round due to his college injury. After what he saw in Week 18 last season against the Denver Broncos, head coach Andy Reid gave Kingsley Suamataia nearly every training camp and preseason rep at left guard.<\/p>\n
In St. Joseph, Simmons became the highlight of training camp \u2014 and his three preseason performances have shown he could be on his way to earning the draft-night praise as the heist of the class. After two shaky preseason outings, Suamataia held up well in pass sets against the Bears, the most important development of Friday night\u2019s matchup.<\/p>\n
It is worth noting that Simmons, Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith and Jawaan Taylor played every snap with Patrick Mahomes, solidifying the line for Week 1 and confirming Moore as Kansas City\u2019s swing tackle for 2025.<\/p>\n
At least for three series of one preseason game, the explosive offense indeed looked \u201cback.\u201d<\/p>\n
With proper protection, Mahomes and the Chiefs\u2019 offense finally looked like that old, explosive Chiefs offense \u2014 the one that could light up the scoreboard early and instantly put games out of reach.<\/p>\n
Early in the game, Kansas City featured rookie Brashard Smith, appearing to be a weapon Reid will find creative ways to implement, opening things up for the team\u2019s seemingly limitless arsenal. Mahomes\u2019 58-yard completion to Tyquan Thornton felt like the breath of fresh air he has been seeking for a long time.<\/p>\n
Tight end Travis Kelce confirmed to reporters that he came to training camp lighter, and on Friday night, he showed glimpses of that pre-2024 Kelce as he caught two passes for 32 yards. Running back Isiah Pacheco looked like his old self, running so violently down the left sideline that he crashed headfirst into a wall and garbage can.<\/p>\n
Kansas City\u2019s brass has believed for a long time that if Mahomes felt protected \u2014 and his playmakers were healthy \u2014 he would return to MVP form. On Friday night, the quarterback seemed like he was finally playing free. He was one Kareem Hunt drop away from finishing 3-for-3 on touchdown drives.<\/p>\n
So, is the Chiefs\u2019 offense back? It needs to carry over into the regular season \u2014 but in the final preseason game, it sure looked like it.<\/p>\n
With key players back on the field, there were better vibes for Steve Spagnuolo\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n
Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, the Chiefs chose to rest defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebackers Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill and cornerback Trent McDuffie. Saying \u201cit didn\u2019t go well\u201d would be an understatement.<\/p>\n
The starters returned for the final exhibition look against the Bears. With the assistance of a fumbled snap and a false start penalty from the Bears, the defense began with a three-and-out. The next Chicago drive lasted six plays before a punt \u2014 and on its third drive, the Chiefs held the Bears to a field goal.<\/p>\n
Kristian Fulton saw his first action of the preseason, recording five tackles and appearing healthy enough to be ready for the start of the season in two weeks. On the final drive against the defensive starters, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams found a hole in coverage, hitting Olamide Zaccheaus for a big gain. Later, rookie receiver Rome Odunze shook safety Bryan Cook for a 37-yard pickup.<\/p>\n
That led to the only Chicago touchdown against Kansas City\u2019s first team. But otherwise, it was a much better effort overall \u2014 especially against the run \u2014 after a week in which it seemed like the defense never got off the bus.<\/p>\n