Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes send message to Broncos and rest of the NFL in Week 1 opening drive
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes isn’t afraid to run the ball, and neither is HC Andy Reid.
The Kansas City Chiefs sent a message to the NFL on their first offensive drive of 2026.
That includes quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is the team’s first touchdown scorer of the 2026 NFL season. Mahomes scrambled for a 15-yard rushing touchdown in the red zone. This followed an interception when Broncos QB Bo Nix threw it to rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane.
The entire 10-play, 46-yard scoring drive for Kansas City was a statement from both Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. Mahomes threw only 2 passes on the drive, completing one for 9 yards to wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Chiefs starting running back Kenneth Walker III had 7 attempts for 32 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry on the drive.
Kansas City used multiple under-center looks with heavy formations, including one that featured 3 offensive linemen declaring eligible. The Chiefs swapped out their right tackle after Jaylon Moore declared eligible, inserting recent trade acquisition Josh Ezeudu. They had defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga in the backfield as a lead-blocker. They truly got everyone involved. The entire sequence screamed that this new version of the Chiefs is not afraid to run the football.
Mahomes proves he won’t shy away from contact after knee injury
The more important statement came from Mahomes himself. He’s not going to sit back when he can help his team win a football game. Before the actual touchdown, Mahomes scrambled up the middle for what would have been a 5-yard touchdown run, but the play was nullified by an offensive holding penalty on Jaylon Moore. He came right back and punched in the 15-yarder anyway.
This shows Mahomes has proven he won’t go out of his way to protect himself or his surgically repaired knee. He’s going to get out there and play the game the way he knows he can play the game. That willingness to tuck it and run, particularly in the red zone, adds a dimension that defenses have to account for every single snap.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid shows off his revamped running game
The big thing to remember about this opening drive is what it signals for the rest of the season. We’ve talked all offseason about this team being built to commit more to a physical, downhill running game. Walker’s 7 carries on a single drive back that up. The only players to touch the ball more than Walker in the first half were Mahomes and center Creed Humphrey.
This is only one drive in Week 1, but statements matter. They need to shake off some rust in the passing game. However, Kansas City made its intentions clear on both sides of the ball. The defense created a turnover, and the offense pounded the ball down Denver’s throat. If this is a preview of what Reid has in store for the 2026 season, the rest of the league and the AFC West should take notice.
