KANSAS CITY — If anyone thought the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty was slowing down, their preseason finale against the Chicago Bears sent a very different message. For three drives, the Chiefs’ starters looked unstoppable—reminding the league that this team isn’t just defending champions, but an offensive powerhouse reloading for another run.

Mahomes Back In Midseason Form

Patrick Mahomes wasted no time showing why he’s still the most dangerous quarterback in football. In just over a quarter of play, he went 8-of-13 for 143 yards and a touchdown—nearly two, if not for a Kareem Hunt drop in the end zone. His deep strike to newcomer Taekwon Thornton for 58 yards electrified the stadium and reminded fans that the deep ball is alive and well in Kansas City.

More importantly, Mahomes had time to throw. The offensive line—long a concern during previous preseasons—looked sharp, with Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia showing significant progress. Simmons didn’t lose a single rep in pass protection, while Suamataia, despite one late mistake, proved he’s developing quickly at guard.

Rookies And Depth Pieces Shine

Brashard Smith, a wide receiver-turned-running back, got early snaps with the first-team offense. His versatility was on display when he hauled in a 12-yard pass to set up Isaiah Pacheco’s first touchdown of the night. Analysts are already calling him a “cheat code” for Andy Reid’s offense.

Tight end Noah Gray also stood out, reminding everyone that defenses can’t focus solely on Travis Kelce. Gray consistently got open, and with Robert Tonyan and Jared Wiley in the mix, Kansas City’s tight end depth looks more dangerous than ever.

At wide receiver, Rashee Rice continued to flash big-play ability, scoring on a decisive back-shoulder throw. Thornton’s 58-yard grab all but cemented his roster spot, while Nico Remigio impressed with contested catches and special teams work.

Running Game Looks Explosive

Isaiah Pacheco looked as explosive as ever, averaging seven yards per carry and punching in a touchdown. Hunt and Smith provided depth, while Elijah Mitchell made his case with a hard-fought goal-line score. The running back battle isn’t settled yet, but Pacheco’s form reassures fans that the ground game won’t be an afterthought.

Defense Holds Strong

While the offense stole the spotlight, the defense quietly did its job, holding the Bears’ starters to just three points in three drives. Chris Jones was his usual disruptive self, at one point commanding triple-teams. Rookie linebacker Jeffrey Bosa earned valuable reps alongside Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal, while cornerback Christian Fulton shook off rust after a knee procedure with a strong showing that included a tackle for loss.

Safety Jaden Hicks impressed with clutch tackles, including a big third-down stop, while defensive end Ashton Gellotte made highlight plays with back-to-back tackles for loss. The defensive depth is still shaking out, but the starters look ready for Week 1.

The Warning Shot

Mahomes summed it up best after the game: when the offensive line holds, everything else falls into place. The Chiefs showcased an offense that can win deep, stretch defenses horizontally, and punish them in the middle with Kelce. If this is what Kansas City looks like in August, opponents should be nervous about what’s coming in September.

For a preseason game, the Chiefs didn’t just test their starters—they sent a message. With Mahomes in rhythm, Kelce commanding attention, and new weapons emerging across the roster, Kansas City fired a warning shot the rest of the NFL can’t ignore.

The dynasty isn’t done. It’s evolving.