The Kansas City Chiefs are deep into training camp with one goal in mind: making sure last season’s playoff absence was a one-year blip.

After missing the postseason for the first time in more than a decade, Kansas City has reshaped its roster through free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. From Kenneth Walker III’s arrival to undrafted offensive lineman Khalil Benson’s surprising rise, the Chiefs have plenty of storylines worth tracking as the first preseason game approaches on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Kansas City Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III brings explosive versatility

Walker was one of the Chiefs’ biggest free agency additions, and he brings a dimension this offense lacked in 2025. Leadership, accountability, and explosiveness are the headlines, but the real value is in how he fits Andy Reid’s scheme.

Walker is going to bring back so much of the running back passing game Kansas City has leaned on with its best backs over the years. He’s not just a threat running the ball. This is a guy who will run a lot of routes, catch those patented Reid screen passes, and has the ability to take them to the house. That type of versatility opens things up for the rest of the offense in a way the Chiefs desperately needed.

Cyrus Allen’s preseason reps will reveal his role

Rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen has flashed during camp, though he’s also dealt with some bumps and bruises. The preseason will be telling. How the Chiefs handle Allen’s workload will probably say a lot about what they envision for him during the 2026 NFL season.

If he’s only out there for a couple of reps, that signals Kansas City wants to protect him and keep him healthy. Dave Toub mentioned that he wants to see Allen as a kick returner, but that it’d be up to Coach Reid. The reps he has gotten at camp, though, have been encouraging. He’s running the right routes, coming back to the football, and showcasing strong hands and toughness. That’s a good sign for a player who is still young in his career and should have an opportunity to contribute this season.

Khalil Benson’s rise from undrafted to first-team reps

One of the best stories of Chiefs camp has been undrafted rookie offensive lineman Khalil Benson, who has worked his way into first-team reps. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach addressed Benson’s emergence on SiriusXM NFL Radio, deflecting praise with a dose of honesty.

“I mean you can include us in that mix, right? Because you know we are one of the teams that didn’t draft him,” Veach said. “And not only that, no one signed him to a contract after the draft. I mean, he was a rookie minicamp tryout guy. We’ve been very fortunate over the years. Last year we signed Cooper McDonald, who was a camp tryout guy, and shoot, years before that, (Tershawn) Turk Wharton. Maybe people have forgotten he was a camp tryout guy, but we’ve had a lot of success over the years, and hopefully we can add Khalil to that list of guys who have continued to grow and develop.”

Benson looks like he could be a big part of this offense, whether it’s at right tackle or right guard. He feels comfortable and confident that he’s versatile enough to play wherever the Chiefs need him. His competition with Jaylon Moore has only elevated both players. Moore said recently that it doesn’t feel quite like a competition because they’re both bought in. They both want the team to succeed.

“It’s been really good for both of us,” Moore said. “Obviously, him transitioning to that during this camp, he’s been working in and out of both spots. So, I mean, it’s been good for me as well. Just being able to, I don’t know, get camaraderie, being able to I don’t be able to play with whoever, being able to communicate next to whoever, be able to get the job done, however it needs to be done.”

The two are raising the bar for each other with each passing day. When Moore does something well, it pushes Benson to match it on his next opportunity, and vice versa.

A different kind of urgency in Kansas City

After falling short last season, there is a palpable sense of urgency around this team, though it comes with nuance. The Chiefs aren’t trying to overhaul everything because they know the winning blueprint. At the same time, they have to look inward and evaluate what went wrong. What didn’t work? What slight tweaks can they make within their process, whether it’s something in practice, extra time in the weight room, or more film study?

It comes down to finding that one extra thing to make sure this year goes as planned, when last year the team was just a hair short. Kansas City didn’t win enough of those one-score games. Pushing to win one or two more could be the difference between watching the postseason and competing in it.

Eyes on the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason opener

With just one more practice before the first preseason game, the focus shifts to the younger players. The Chiefs have had three consecutive days of padded practices. That means the final session on Thursday will be a lighter 10-10-10 practice session. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it allows for some physical rest before the first game of the year.

Even within those lighter reps, the coaching staff assigns specific responsibilities. Whether it’s red-zone work, third-down situations, defeating press-man coverage or the screen-passing game. The key is to make no mistakes and get the most out of every rep before the preseason lights turn on.

Travis Kelce’s chip-on-the-shoulder mentality

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce spoke with the media ahead of his 14th NFL season, and his approach stood out. He took personal responsibility for many of the team’s losses last season and said he didn’t feel he played his best football.

“All aspects of football, man,” Kelce said. “Being more accountable when the ball is in the air. There were a few games last year that I felt like I put on myself. In the blocking world, being able to get my guys so we can spring guys for bigger gains. And then on top of that, just being a better leader. When we get stuck with adversity hidden, who’s going to want you in that foxhole with (them)? And that’s one of those things that I want to be one of those guys that everybody counts on to be there and get us out of that foxhole.”

Kelce is carrying a chip on his shoulder, determined to prove he’s still the player Kansas City has relied on for over a decade. For a Chiefs team hungry to bounce back, that kind of accountability from a veteran leader is exactly what the locker room needs.