Chiefs Preseason Report: Running Backs Rise, Others Face Uncertainty
The Kansas City Chiefs finished their preseason with a 9-9 tie against the Seahawks, snapping an eight-game preseason losing streak. Running back Emmett Johnson impressed with 123 yards on 26 carries, while defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah showed signs of becoming the pass rusher the team hoped for. However, kicker Harrison Butker missed a 58-yard attempt, and several players face uncertain futures as cutdown day approaches.
The Chiefs' running back depth chart has been transformed this preseason, with undrafted Emmett Johnson and Brashard Smith both averaging over 4.3 yards per carry behind prized free-agent addition Kenneth Walker. That production stands in stark contrast to last season, when Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt managed just 3.8 yards per carry across 281 attempts, suggesting the team's ground game may finally have reliable options beyond its starters.
Defensive end R Mason Thomas emerged as a consistent pressure generator throughout all three exhibition games, finishing with eight total pressures and a team-leading 21.4 percent pass rush win rate in the finale. Fellow edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah also showed signs of fulfilling his first-round promise, while defensive tackles Marcus Harris and Peter Woods delivered their strongest performances in the final game, strengthening their cases for roster spots ahead of cutdown day.
This preseason report could influence how fans and analysts assess the Chiefs' roster depth heading into the regular season, particularly at running back and defensive line. The emergence of unheralded players like Johnson and Smith may shift expectations for the team's offensive approach, while the uncertainty surrounding kicker Harrison Butker's long-range reliability could affect close-game strategy. For players on the roster bubble, these performances may determine career trajectories, and for the team's fanbase, the results may shape early-season optimism or concern.