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The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2026 draft class was ready to play a football game donning the red and gold for the first time on Saturday, and many fans had their eyes glued to those specific newcomers.
Rookie running back Emmett Johnson was a standout; wide receiver Cyrus Allen made a highlight-reel catch, and edge rusher R Mason Thomas did his best to show off his skill set. All that said, seventh-round pick Garrett Nussmeier’s confidence and poise may have popped off the screen the most once he took the reins from Justin Fields on the third drive of the game.
Third-string quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed 13 of 19 passes for 98 yards. Head coach Andy Reid said the rookie handled the moment well.
“For his first time out there rolling, I thought he handled it well, made some nice throws, had some long yardage situations and handled it well. And did a good job there,” Reid said.
Veteran Justin Fields, competing with Nussmeier to serve as Patrick Mahomes’ backup, completed all four of his pass attempts for 41 yards.
Why Chiefs rookies were the biggest story of preseason opener vs. the Rams | The Athletic
Not only did Armstrong use his 6-foot-4 size to bring down a sideline catch early on, but he also went viral online afterward for his blocking, putting Rams defenders on their backsides twice on running plays.
Armstrong said those knockdowns were a specialty of his in college at Arkansas.
“I know coming in here, a lot of people are not expecting it,” Armstrong said in the locker room with a smile. “So that’s when you can get them.”
Armstrong said he modeled his blocking after Dallas Cowboys wideout George Pickens, who has displayed similar bouts of aggressiveness.
“I love to block. I love to do those things,” Armstrong said. “So if the coaches love that as well and I love to do that, I hope that would be a great asset to them.”
How Chiefs DB Kaiir Elam hopes to avoid ‘bust’ label with a comeback in KC | The Kansas City Star
Most NFL teams, especially the Chiefs, will sign a former first-round pick to a one-year “prove it” deal, like Elam did in April. At 25 years old, he’s looking to put his best foot forward as he works his way through training camp in just his fifth season.
“Just giving the best version of myself,” Elam told The Star. “I feel like I haven’t really shown the best version of myself yet in this league. So just being the best version of myself with the opportunities that I do earn.”
Elam has started only 19 of the 43 total games he’s appeared in over four years, tallying 114 tackles, eight passes defensed, and two interceptions (both in his rookie season). Elam also recorded two interceptions in five playoff appearances.
Chiefs Rookie R Mason Thomas Flashes Glimpses of Potential in Preseason Opener | Sports Illustrated
Standing at 6-foot-2, 241 pounds, most pre-draft scouts viewed Thomas as a player who would need to add more weight before becoming an every-down option. However, he made an impact in the run game, shedding blocks and forcing Rams tailbacks to avoid him at all costs.
We even saw some examples of Thomas bull-rushing L.A.’s offensive linemen. He may be regarded as a speed rusher, but Thomas told reporters after the game that he’s no one-trick pony.
“I don’t know why people regard me as a speed-rusher,” Thomas said. “I do bull. I did bull at college, too. I guess it’s my stature, my weight, they classify me as speed.”
5 takeaways from Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason opener against Los Angeles Rams | KSHB 41
5. Mixed results for rookie DL
It’s no secret that Kansas City’s defensive line wasn’t good enough in 2025, so it also wasn’t a surprise to see the Chiefs invest two of their first three picks, No. 29 and 40 overall, in defensive linemen.
Peter Woods has impressed in training camp with his work ethic and demeanor, but he is also battling an ankle injury.
The rookie first-round defensive tackle from Clemson struggled to hold the line of scrimmage and didn’t record a stat in limited snaps.
Chiefs-Rams: 9 things that stood out in Kansas City’s first preseason game | KMBC
Here’s the encouraging counterpoint – the Chiefs got off the field on third down.
Los Angeles converted only two third downs all game, a significant improvement in an area that caused Kansas City plenty of frustration last season.
Third-down defense involves far more than the secondary. Pressure, coverage and tackling all have to work together.
Around the NFL
Retired Aaron Donald works out for Rams for second time | ESPN
Donald’s “tryout” at the team’s Woodland Hills facility was listed Sunday on the NFL’s transaction report. It was his second time working out for the team this training camp.
Coach Sean McVay said Donald’s decision will come on “his timeline.”
“What I don’t want is to sit here and do is put a timeline on it, then something comes up where I have to push it back,” McVay said after the Rams’ preseason opener in Kansas City on Saturday night.
Cowboys agree to terms with eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Von Miller | NFL.com
Miller, who grew up in DeSoto, Texas, and played collegiately at Texas A&M, understandably waited until the dog days of summer were mostly over before joining a new squad, but he seemingly has plenty still left to give as a pass rusher.
He’s the current active leader in career sacks with 138.5, having racked up nine last year to lead the Commanders despite starting only three of 17 games. That number was the most since a 9.5-sack effort combined between the Broncos and Rams in 2021, a year that divides Miller’s career quite cleanly.
Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain after his 14 touch first half in the preseason win for the Arizona Cardinals over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Love was ‘s final touch of the game was also the play where he was injured, and many in the non-Cardinals media world wondered aloud if it was bad.
This is a tough one, and hopefully five weeks between the injury and game one will be more than enough for Love to rehab and get back, but a high ankle sprain is a typical three week injury, and can be a little bit of a pain to come back from.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs rookie back Emmett Johnson ‘ran hard and aggressive’
“He did a nice job with it,” Reid told local media in his post-game press conference. “He ran hard and aggressive, had some yards after contact there, which is a big thing. He was one of the positives coming out of this, I thought he did a nice job.”
Johnson displayed an aggressive and tough running style. He read blocks and hit the available holes hard, without hesitation. He was the main cog in the Chiefs’ offensive attack in the preseason opener.
“He has a good feel,” Reid continued to praise the rookie’s first performance. “He’s patient, then when he hits it, he hits it hard. He has a toughness to him there. I know the offensive linemen appreciate that.”
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