R Mason Thomas flashes and 3 more halftime takeaways from Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason Week 1 game against the Rams
The first half of preseason Week 1 is in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs. What all did we learn about the team?
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams are all tied up at halftime in preseason Week 1 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Overall, the first half offered a brief glimpse of some personnel who will play a lot of snaps for the team during the 2026 NFL season. RG Trey Smith (hip), LB Drue Tranquill (back), S Chamarrri Conner (knee), CB Kader Kohou (knee), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee) and DT Omarr Norman-Lott (knee) were among the players out of the game due to injury.
Patrick Mahomes didn’t start, but he wore full pads and threw the ball ahead of the game. He mentioned at training camp that he aimed to prepare as if he was going to play. So, that all tracks.
What else did we learn from the opening half of preseason Week 1?
Some Kansas City Chiefs starters got some action
While Mahomes and the injured players mentioned above didn’t play, other starters saw action. It ranged from one snap (Chris Jones) to a full series on defense (Nick Bolton, George Karlaftis). It wasn’t just defensive starters who saw playing time either. The Chiefs had the starting offensive line, sans Trey Smith, out there for one series with Justin Fields. Kahlil Benson was at right guard with Jaylon Moore at right tackle. Creed Humphrey, Kingsley Suamataia, and Josh Simmons were all out there on the left side. Note that Benson was pulled from the game along with the rest of the starting O-Line, which is a good indication that he’s viewed as a starter.
Justin Fields looked comfortable in the Kansas City Chiefs’ system
Fields looked in control and poised to start the game. On his opening drive, Fields went 3-of-3 passing for 24 yards. On his second drive, he had two carries for nine yards and a 17-yard reception to WR Andrew Armstrong. He’s playing mistake-free, albeit unexciting football. I also think the Chiefs aren’t doing him (or Brashard Smith) any favors with all the running plays behind the second-string O-Line. Both drives were stalled out by penalties that were no fault of Fields. Still, it’s undeniable that he looked good executing the called plays and didn’t panic when things went wrong.
R Mason Thomas looks like he’s going to be a problem (in a good way)
After George Karlaftis left the game, he was replaced by rookie DE R Mason Thomas, who flashed in both the passing game and the running game. He had two back-to-back snaps where he made an impact. First, working through Rams rookie TE Max Klare to hold RB Jarquez Hunter to just a one-yard gain. On the second play, he pressured Bennett into a quick, inaccurate throw. That’s the exact type of play that the Chiefs have lacked on the defensive line in recent years.
Rookies Garrett Nussmeier, Emmett Johnson, and other offensive players stand out in first action
In Nussmeier’s first offensive drive, he went 5-of-7 for 28 yards en route to a game-tying field goal. His best play was a 17-yard pass to Nikko Remigio when he got flushed to his left and threw on the run. It was very “Mahomesian.” He did have a throw that resulted in a six-yard loss, but that was more on Emmett Johnson than Nussmeier. He threw the ball in order to avoid a sack.
Speaking of Johnson, he looked really solid. He had five carries for 23 yards. He bounced a 13-yard carry outside, and the Rams had a penalty for a horse-collar tackle. His first touchdown was nullified on a really soft holding penalty.
Other offensive players who caught my eye in the first half: Cyrus Allen, Jake Briningstool, Esa Pole, and Andrew Armstrong.
