Last night, the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Seattle Seahawks 33-16 in their Week 2 preseason clash. But as any Chiefs fan knows, the scoreboard takes a backseat in the preseason—it’s all about individual performances and roster battles. Here’s a breakdown of the action, spotlighting the offensive line’s progress, a shaky run defense, and some key answers to roster questions.
Offensive Line Shows Promise
Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia deliver standout performances at left guard and tackle, respectively. The offensive line, long a concern for Chiefs Kingdom heading into the 2025 season, proves it’s on track to handle the grind of a 17-game campaign. Their strong play signals a bright future for protecting Patrick Mahomes.
Reid Locks in Roster Spots with Young Talent
Head coach Andy Reid leans heavily on second- and third-stringers to finalize roster spots on both sides of the ball. This game offers a prime opportunity to evaluate depth players vying for a place on the 53-man roster.
Defense: Youth Movement in Full Swing
The defense, manned mostly by second- and third-stringers, showcases Brett Veach and Steve Spagnuolo’s strategy to infuse youth into the unit. Much like they did with stars like Trent McDuffie, Nick Bolton, and George Karlaftis, the Chiefs aim to develop young talent to maintain a competitive edge while managing the salary cap.
This year’s draft class includes:
- 2nd Round: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT
- 3rd Round: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE
- 3rd Round: Nohl Williams, CB
- 5th Round: Jeffrey Bassa, LB
Unfortunately, the defensive line struggles, surrendering a whopping 268 rushing yards. The coaching staff expects more from Norman-Lott and Gillotte in the next two preseason games to bolster support for Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, and Mike Danna.
At linebacker, Jeffrey Bassa and Jack Cochrane shine, racking up four and five tackles, respectively. Their performances strengthen their cases for roster spots.
In the secondary, second- and third-stringers continue to impress. Nohl Williams stands out in coverage, proving his worth as a potential contributor in the defensive backfield.
Offense: Time to Talk About Skyy Moore
On the offensive side, it’s time to have a tough conversation about Skyy Moore. Last night, he drops two passes:
- On a screen play, the ball hits his hands, but he fails to secure it with no defenders in sight.
- In traffic, another pass strikes his hands, only to bounce dangerously in the air.
His Super Bowl LVII touchdown reception feels like a distant memory. Plagued by injuries over the past two years, including knee swelling (Week 15, 2023), a bruised heel (Week 9, 2023), a core muscle injury that landed him on season-ending IR (October 2024), and a hamstring issue during 2025 training camp, Moore is finally healthy but has much to prove. He salvages the night with an electrifying 88-yard punt return touchdown, hinting at his talent. Could a role on special teams be his path forward? The jury’s still out.
Tonyan making the best of his opportunity
Robert Tonyan makes a compelling case for a roster spot, hauling in five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. With Travis Kelce and Noah Gray locked in as starters, Tonyan faces an uphill battle to leapfrog Jared Wiley on the depth chart. His consistent performances, however, demand attention.
Looking Ahead
With two preseason games left, the focus remains on getting more reps for the tackles and guards to ensure the offensive line is in top form. On defense, all eyes are on Omarr Norman-Lott to step up and provide the spark needed alongside the veterans.
What did you think of last night’s game? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going as the Chiefs fine-tune their roster!
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