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’s not what we’ll remember about the preseason finale.
Now, that’s what we needed to see in the pass protection!
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’s 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.
Veach signed former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency — 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.
In St. Joseph, Simmons became the highlight of training camp — 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’s matchup.
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’s swing tackle for 2025.
At least for three series of one preseason game, the explosive offense indeed looked “back.”
With proper protection, Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense finally looked like that old, explosive Chiefs offense — the one that could light up the scoreboard early and instantly put games out of reach.
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’s seemingly limitless arsenal. Mahomes’ 58-yard completion to Tyquan Thornton felt like the breath of fresh air he has been seeking for a long time.
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.
Kansas City’s brass has believed for a long time that if Mahomes felt protected — and his playmakers were healthy — 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.
So, is the Chiefs’ offense back? It needs to carry over into the regular season — but in the final preseason game, it sure looked like it.
With key players back on the field, there were better vibes for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
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 “it didn’t go well” would be an understatement.
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 — and on its third drive, the Chiefs held the Bears to a field goal.
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.
That led to the only Chicago touchdown against Kansas City’s first team. But otherwise, it was a much better effort overall — especially against the run — after a week in which it seemed like the defense never got off the bus.
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