Patrick Mahomes’ preseason status is the biggest question hanging over the Chiefs as they get set for 2026, but Kansas City’s August slate also offers an early look at a roster that has been reshaped in several spots.
Mahomes is working to come back from a December ACL and LCL tear and could be ready for Week 1, though the Chiefs may decide to keep him out of preseason action for the first time in his career. Even without that storyline settled, there’s plenty to watch: how the offense functions with Kenneth Walker in the backfield, whether Rashee Rice looks fully back after an offseason that included knee surgery and a stint in jail, and how Travis Kelce fits into another season after getting married to Taylor Swift this offseason.
Defensively, Kansas City has some new faces to sort through. The Chiefs lost their top two cornerbacks to the Rams this offseason after trading Trent McDuffie and seeing Jaylen Watson sign with Los Angeles, then answered by drafting No. 6 overall pick Mansoor Delane and fourth-rounder Jadon Canady. They also used a first-round pick on defensive tackle Peter Woods, who is expected to line up next to Chris Jones on the front.
All three Chiefs preseason games will air locally on NBC affiliate KSHB 41. The home opener against the Rams will also be shown nationally on NFL Network. Fans can stream every preseason game live on fubo.
Kansas City opens preseason on Saturday, Aug. 15 against the Rams at 4 p.m. ET, then travels to face the Buccaneers on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
ET. The final tune-up comes Friday, Aug. 28 against the Seahawks at 8 p.m.
ET.
The regular season begins Monday, Sept. 14 against the Broncos at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC.
The Chiefs then host the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC before visiting the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.
ET on CBS and the Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
Kansas City’s bye lands in Week 5, followed by a run that includes home games against the Chargers, Jets, Cardinals, Patriots and 49ers, plus road trips to the Seahawks, Broncos, Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Rams and Chargers. The Thursday, Nov. 26 game at Buffalo is set for Thanksgiving at 8:20 p.m.
ET on NBC, while the Dec. 3 meeting at the Rams is scheduled for Prime Video. The final two matchups are listed as TBD, with the Chiefs at the Chargers and then home against the Raiders.
In Other News...
Seahawks Fans Are About To See Camp Like Never Before
Training camp is about to feel a little different in Renton. The Seahawks have been selected for HBOs Hard Knocks this summer, putting Mike Macdonalds first camp in Seattle and Sam Darnolds work at quarterback under the kind of spotlight the show has built its reputation on. For fans, it means a closer look at the daily grind, the competition and the personalities that usually stay behind the practice-field fence.
The series begins Aug. 4 and will run five episodes, covering preseason action and the final roster cuts, so the timing should give viewers a real sense of how the Seahawks shape their team before the regular season. Macdonald and Darnold have already commented on the filming process, and now the bigger question is how much the cameras will reveal about the battles that decide who sticks and who goes home. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Worrying Robbie Ouzts Situation In Camp
Robbie Ouzts has been out of Seahawks practices during training camp because of an unspecified issue, and the absence is starting to draw attention for a team that was hoping to get a fuller look at its fullback spot. The concern is not just about a missed stretch in August, but about whether this could be connected to the neck injury that cost him time late last season and left Seattle without him down the stretch.
The Seahawks have not offered much detail on what is keeping Ouzts sidelined, which only adds to the uncertainty around a player whose role is already tightly tied to health and availability. The good news for Seattle is that a clearer picture does not sound far off, with an update on his status expected soon, but until then his camp absence is one of the quieter issues worth monitoring. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Camp Is Already Creating Early Winners And One Tough Roster Reality
Training camp opened July 25 with the Seahawks back at work as defending champions, and the first days in the heat have already started sorting out who looks ready to push for real roles. There have been encouraging signs from players trying to climb the depth chart, with Elijah Arroyo among the names drawing attention, while Jadarian Price has also flashed enough to keep the early conversations lively as preseason gets closer.
The other side of camp has been less forgiving, because not every rep is helping the same players build momentum. Jalen Milroe has had stretches that underscore how much he still has to prove, and Kenny McIntoshs situation has taken a tough turn after a knee setback, a reminder that roster battles in late July can change fast. For Seattle, the challenge now is turning those early evaluations into a clear picture before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
