Tyler Warren is set up to be a real problem for the Chiefs in Week 2, and that’s exactly why this matchup feels different for Kansas City’s defense.
Indianapolis has already shown a willingness to make Warren the center of its passing game. The Colts can feed him depending on how the game unfolds, and the Penn State product has quickly become one of the most dangerous young offensive weapons in the league. Against a Chiefs defense that just put together a strong showing and looked especially sturdy up front, Warren gives the Colts a different kind of stress test than a typical receiver would.
That matters because Kansas City has had to deal with tight ends finding room against this defense before. Steve Spagnuolo’s group often leans into stopping the run when it sees elite backs, and the coverage structure can tilt toward tight man looks depending on who is available in the secondary.
That opens the door for tight ends to become more central in the game plan. Warren is the kind of player who can exploit that if the Chiefs aren’t sharp.
The Colts also have a quarterback still working his way back into rhythm. Daniel Jones returned for Week 1 after injury, but he didn’t look eager to test his mobility against the Baltimore Ravens.
That showed up in the passing game. Derrik Klassen of The Athletic Football Show pointed out that Jones threw only two passes beyond eight yards that were outside the numbers.
If Indianapolis wants to stretch Kansas City, getting Jones comfortable attacking the perimeter early would seem to matter. If that doesn’t happen, the ball could keep gravitating toward the middle of the field or underneath.
Warren’s value is that he can live in all of those areas. The Colts used him all over the formation last season, and his alignment numbers tell the story.
He lined up in-line 459 times, had 271 snaps in the slot, saw 103 snaps out wide in 2025, and even took 63 reps out of the backfield. That kind of deployment makes him hard to track and harder to box in.
And this isn’t just a Colts wrinkle. Warren’s Penn State tape showed a player who could function as a one-man wrecking crew on certain snaps.
He could win with force, win with positioning, and win on simple touches that still turned into first downs or scores. Kansas City has to be ready for all of it.
The Chiefs’ back end is also dealing with some uncertainty of its own. Chamarri Conner will miss his second straight game with an injury, which puts more attention on the safety group.
Alohi Gilman, a free-agent addition, brings leadership and communication to the defense. Beyond that, there are chances for others to carve out more of a role.
Chris Roland-Wallace is valued for his ability to move between safety and cornerback. Jaden Hicks flashed during training camp and the preseason and now has a chance to carry that into the regular season. Xavier Nwankpa, a rookie undrafted free agent, is mainly known for special teams, but his instincts could help him earn defensive snaps too.
All of that leaves Kansas City with a clear challenge: keep Warren from becoming the kind of focal point that tilts the Colts’ offense.
In Other News...
Arrowhead Opener Comes With A Chiefs Tribute Fans Wont Want To Miss
Sunday Night Football gives the Chiefs a stage right away, and the Week 1 opener against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead is packed with the kind of game-day buildup Kansas City fans have come to expect. Gates will open early, parking details have been laid out for the crowd, and the stadium will be geared for a long evening of pregame entertainment before kickoff. Even the practical stuff is front and center, with cashless concessions and ticket options part of the routine now, along with a weather forecast that should help set the tone for the first home game of the season.
The bigger draw, though, is the tribute woven into the night. Derrick Johnson will be inducted into the Chiefs Ring of Honor, giving the opener an added layer beyond the matchup itself and putting one of the franchises most respected defenders in the spotlight in front of a home crowd that knows what he meant to the organization. For a fan base that treats Arrowhead as more than just a stadium, Week 1 is shaping up as part kickoff, part celebration, and part reminder of the standard the Chiefs have built around their home field. [Read more 🡒]
NFL Sends Chiefs Fans A Clear Message On That Mahomes Hit
Patrick Mahomes took a shot around the head and neck after getting rid of a short throw against Denver, and the play quickly became one of the moments Chiefs fans were watching most closely after the game. The NFL has now reviewed the hit from Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto and chose not to issue a fine, determining the contact was legal under its standards for roughing the passer.
The league did fine Chiefs guard Trey Smith and Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton for separate infractions from the same game, but the Mahomes play was the one that drew the most attention in Kansas City. For the Chiefs, the ruling leaves the original call and the interpretation of the hit intact, even if plenty of fans will still see it as one of those borderline moments that tends to linger long after the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Offensive Line Suddenly Faces An Early Test Fans Feared
Josh Simmons back injury has put the Chiefs in an uncomfortable early-season spot, especially because left tackle was already one of the most important jobs on the roster. Kansas City is treating the issue as week-to-week, and with no firm timetable in place, the team is left to manage the position carefully while trying to keep the offense steady in the meantime.
The good news for the Chiefs is that they did not send Simmons to injured reserve, which leaves open the possibility of getting him back within the next few weeks. In the meantime, undrafted tackle Kahlil Benson handled the Week 1 assignment and held up well, giving Kansas City at least one encouraging development as it waits to see how quickly Simmons can get back on the field. [Read more 🡒]