Chiefs' Preseason Finale Ends in 9-9 Tie with Seahawks
The Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks finished their preseason with a 9-9 tie at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City's running back group, led by rookie Emmett Johnson and veterans Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado, impressed with consistent gains. The Chiefs snapped a preseason losing streak, though the offense struggled to find the end zone.
The Chiefs' ground game provided the evening's brightest moments, with three halfbacks combining for consistent production against Seattle's defense. Emmett Johnson and Emari Demercado each averaged over five yards per carry in the first half, while Brashard Smith supplemented his rushing output with a 57-yard kickoff return. Kenneth Walker III sat out entirely, leaving the backfield workload to the younger options.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier handled the full game in Patrick Mahomes's absence, with Justin Fields being held out ahead of Week 1. The rookie showed flashes of improvisational skill on third downs but also committed an interception and a first-half-ending intentional grounding penalty. His uneven performance highlighted the gap between his current readiness and the veteran stability Fields provides.
This preseason result carries limited competitive weight, but it may shape roster decisions and fan expectations heading into the regular season. The running back depth could influence how the Chiefs manage Walker's injury timeline, while Nussmeier's inconsistent outing may temper enthusiasm about the rookie's immediate prospects. For fans, the tie offers modest reassurance about position-group depth, though preseason performance remains an unreliable predictor of regular-season outcomes.