Tag: Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Raiders ready to wrap up forgettable seasons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A nightmare season for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the host Las Vegas Raiders will conclude on Sunday, offering reprieve to two franchises that had seasons marked by disappointment after entering with high expectations.

When the Raiders (2-14) hired Pete Carroll in January, the expectation was that the Super Bowl-winning head coach would help return the franchise to relevance, with the support of minority owner and decision-maker Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek. At the very least, the belief was that Carroll would be a steadying force for a team that had used four different coaches since 2021.

The reality hasn’t matched the expectations, to say the least. The Raiders are even worse under Carroll than they were under the much-maligned Antonio Pierce regime a year ago.

The team traded away a star receiver for the second straight season in Jakobi Meyers, and even stalwart defensive end Maxx Crosby had a highly publicized spat with the team after being shut down for the season ahead of their Week 17 loss to the New York Giants.

Carroll, 74, has been adamant throughout the season that the decisions he’s made since taking over the Raiders were made with the intention of meaningfully competing in Year 1. The word “rebuild” was essentially forbidden in the facility.

“Looking back, I thought we would make more progress earlier and we would be farther along than we are in terms of getting the wins. So, you’re always rebuilding. You’re constantly building. I fight the thought of it. We would make decisions that would go in advance of winning, so when you talk (about rebuilding), I just can’t handle that. But this process is ongoing, building, rebuilding.”

As for the Chiefs (6-10), it was reasonable to believe this season would have been somewhat of a trip back to earth after three straight Super Bowl appearances. It turned out to be far more humbling.

An 0-2 start put the Chiefs on their back foot immediately, but they won five of their next six games to reach 5-3 and climb out of murky water, if only for a moment. Four losses in their next five games put the Chiefs all but out of the postseason picture before Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL just minutes before the Los Angeles Chargers officially eliminated them in Week 15.

For head coach Andy Reid, it’s an unwanted change of pace to be ending the season in Week 18 as opposed to after the Super Bowl in February.

“Yeah, (it’s a strange feeling),” Reid said. “I want to keep that a strange feeling. You don’t like ending right now, obviously, but that’s what it is. You’ve got to go back and fix things and make sure they’re right.”

Backup Gardner Minshew took over for Mahomes in Week 16 against the Titans, but Minshew suffered a torn ACL himself in the first half of that game. South Dakota State product Chris Oladokun has since taken over, but he was held to just 66 passing yards in a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day.

Guard Trey Smith (ankle), wideout Xavier Worthy (illness) and running back Kareem Hunt (illness) missed practice on Wednesday for the Chiefs, as did quarterback Geno Smith (ankle), guard Dylan Parham (illness) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (biceps) for the Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Report: Chiefs sign QB Shane Buechele as Gardner Minshew lands on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs signed quarterback Shane Buechele from the Buffalo Bills practice squad and quarterback Gardner Minshew was placed on season-ending injured reserve, according to multiple reports Monday.

The Chiefs had reportedly been concerned Minshew suffered a torn ACL during Sunday’s 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, but the injury appears to be a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture, “basically a very bad bone bruise,” according to NFL Network.

Buechele, 27, will need to pass a physical but is headed to the Chiefs, where he started his NFL career as an undrafted free agent out of SMU following the 2021 NFL Draft.

He was on the Chiefs’ practice squad for most of the 2021 season and on the active roster for the 2022 season but didn’t play. Since being waived by Kansas City in August of 2023, Buechele has been with Buffalo’s practice squad.

Minshew left the game in Nashville in the second quarter with a left knee injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

It is the second consecutive week a Chiefs quarterback went down with a knee injury after Patrick Mahomes was injured late in last week’s 16-13 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes was later diagnosed with two torn ligaments in his left knee.

Minshew was injured on a scramble during Kansas City’s first possession and limped off the field but returned to play the team’s next three possessions. When the Chiefs got the ball at their 36 with 11:39 left in the half, Chris Oladokun replaced Minshew.

Oladokun, who has been on Kansas City’s practice squad the last two years, led a scoring drive that culminated in Harrison Butker’s 54-yard field goal for a 3-2 lead with 7:40 remaining in the half. He finished 11 of 16 for 111 yards and had two carries for 7 yards.

–Field Level Media

Chargers eliminate Chiefs from playoff race; Patrick Mahomes injured late

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Justin Herbert threw for 210 yards and one touchdown as the Los Angeles Chargers eliminated the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 road victory on Sunday.

The Chiefs (6-8) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014 as their comeback short-circuited when quarterback Patrick Mahomes departed with 1:53 remaining with an apparent left knee injury. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes will undergo an MRI either Sunday or Monday.

Mahomes was leading the Chiefs on a drive into Chargers’ territory when he was tackled from behind by Da’Shawn Hand while tossing an incomplete pass. He was replaced by Gardner Minshew, who was intercepted by Derwin James Jr. at the 18-yard line with 14 seconds remaining.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith caught his first career touchdown pass for the Chargers and Cameron Dicker made three field goals as Los Angeles (10-4) won its third consecutive game and kept its hopes alive for an AFC West title.

Mahomes completed 16 of 28 passes for 189 yards and opened the scoring with a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce each had seven receptions for a combined 121 yards.

In a hard-hitting game, the Chiefs absorbed a number of injuries. A second leg injury in two quarters knocked right tackle Jaylon Moore from the game. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy missed time while being examined for a possible concussion while wide receiver Tyquan Thornton took a blow to the head from Tony Jefferson in the fourth quarter for which Jefferson was ejected. Then came Mahomes’ injury.

The Chiefs got off to a fast start, going 68 yards on 11 plays with their opening drive to take a 7-0 lead with Mahomes’ 12-yard run up the middle.

The Chargers made it 7-3 late in the first quarter on Dicker’s 49-yard field goal. The Chiefs matched it with Harrison Butker’s 27-yard kick with 8:04 left in the half. Another Butker field goal, this one from 47 yards, gave the Chiefs a 13-3 lead with 38 seconds remaining before halftime.

It was more than enough time for Herbert to take the Chargers 60 yards on five plays with Lambert-Smith catching a 16-yard TD pass at the back of the end zone to pull Los Angeles within 13-10 at halftime.

Dicker pulled the Chargers even at 13-13 with a 23-yard field goal with 8:55 remaining in the third quarter.

Los Angeles took its first lead of the game at 16-13 with 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter on another 49-yard field goal from Dicker.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs’ Andy Reid retracts ‘mess-up’ on momentum-shifting 4th down

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Chiefs coach Andy Reid might have a few play calls he wants back in his 478 career games as a head coach, but he didn’t get 307 victories by playing it safe.

That’s why Reid retracted his statement Sunday night that he regretted deciding to pass on 4th-and-1 from Kansas City’s 31 with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

“Well, listen, we’ve been so good in that area — whether it was run or pass — and so, I felt we were in a good position,” Reid said Monday, recapping the 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans. “I thought we had a good play. Again, I thought it was the right thing to do then. This is terrible to say in a situation like this because we didn’t win and we didn’t get that. But I would probably do that same thing again.”

Houston scored its only second-half touchdown after taking over on downs. Prior to the failed fourth-down attempt, the Chiefs forced five straight punts to open the second half. Four of those possessions were three-and-outs.

In Reid’s defense, the Chiefs are 22 of 29 on fourth down this season.

Reid said he understands the pain that follows when play calls and late-game decisions don’t pan out. But he reviewed the game situation once more Sunday night after saying the call was one he “messed up” and came out with a different perspective.

“I thought the risk-reward was right for that time. It slapped me in the face, though. It didn’t go that way,” Reid said.

The Chiefs went 1-3 in November and are not in the current playoff picture with four games remaining in the regular season.

Kansas City (6-7) is far from mathematically eliminated, a point Reid made Monday.

With the Chargers (8-4), Titans (2-11), Broncos (11-2) and Raiders (2-11) left on the schedule, the Chiefs can feasibly get to nine or 10 wins to stand a chance in the wild-card picture. But with one loss to the Chargers on the books and head-to-head defeats at the hands of the Broncos, Texans (8-5) and Jaguars (9-4), the margin for error is zero.

“I have learned over the years that anything’s possible,” Reid said. “I communicated that to the guys. They were down in the dumps after the game. I mean, they put their heart and soul into that thing and we came up short. At the same time, there’s a way you’ve got to pick yourself up and get yourself going again. And hope is always a good motivator there. I think our guys realize that. I mentioned it to them after the game.”

–Field Level Media

Chiefs get first close win of season, topping Colts in OT

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Harrison Butker kicked five field goals, including the decisive 27-yarder with 1:57 left in overtime, to give the host Kansas City Chiefs a 23-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Patrick Mahomes completed 29 of 46 passes for 352 yards and one interception as Kansas City (6-5) prevailed in a one-score game for the first time in six opportunities this season. Last season, the Chiefs went 12-0, including a postseason victory, in such situations.

Kareem Hunt rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries and Rashee Rice caught eight passes for 141 yards for the Chiefs, who overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to end a two-game losing streak.

Daniel Jones completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns for the Colts (8-3). Michael Pittman Jr. and Drew Ogletree caught touchdown passes and Laiatu Latu had an interception.

Indianapolis star Jonathan Taylor was held to 58 yards on 16 carries with 27 of the yards coming on one handoff.

The Chiefs forced overtime on Butker’s 25-yard field goal as time expired in regulation.

Indianapolis had the ball first in overtime and went three-and-out for the fourth consecutive time.

The Chiefs then moved 81 yards on 12 plays. Mahomes completed passes of 30 to Xavier Worthy and 21 yards to Rice on the game-ending drive.

Michael Badgley kicked field goals of 32 and 23 yards in the third quarter as the Colts held a 20-9 lead.

The Chiefs moved within three when Hunt scored on a 2-yard run and Mahomes threw a two-point conversion pass to Rice with 8:37 left in the fourth.

Indianapolis then went three-and-out for the third straight time in the fourth quarter and Kansas City took over for the game-tying drive.

Latu and Pheldarius Payne combined to sack Mahomes on third down to force Butker’s tying field goal.

The Chiefs outgained the Colts 494-255 and had a 33-10 edge in first downs. Indianapolis’ last first down came in the third quarter.

Earlier, the Colts forced a turnover on Kansas City’s second offensive play to set up Jones’ 6-yard touchdown pass to Pittman.

Latu deflected Mahomes’ pass with his right hand and then corralled the ball for his third interception of the season.

Kansas City appeared to knot the score on a 4-yard direct snap run by Travis Kelce, but Jawaan Taylor was flagged for a 15-yard facemask penalty. The Chiefs ended up settling for Butker’s 28-yard field goal nine seconds into the second quarter.

Indianapolis increased the lead to 14-3 when Jones tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ogletree with 10:31 left in the half.

Butker responded with field goals of 48 and 22 yards to leave the Chiefs trailing 14-9 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) and running back Kareem Hunt (29) line up against the Baltimore Ravens during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs rookie OT Josh Simmons to practice this week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons will practice this week for the first time since missing the past four games for personal reasons, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid told reporters Monday.

Simmons, 22, had been dealing with a family matter, according to Reid, and missed games against the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills. Kansas City is 5-4 overall and went 3-1 without Simmons.

The Chiefs played Jaylon Moore at left tackle with Simmons out.

“I think what we’ll do is see where we’re at here,” Reid said Monday of a timeline for Simmons’ return to game play. “We know we’ve got a good player in there now and we know what Josh is capable of and all that. So, we’ll just see where we’re at when they get back.”

A first-round draft pick out of Ohio State, Simmons started the first five games of the season as the Chiefs went 2-3.

Kansas City is coming off its bye week and will next see action on the road against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) makes a reception defended by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the second quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs hold Raiders to 95 total yards in 31-0 victory

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Patrick Mahomes passed for 286 yards and three touchdowns in less than three quarters and the Kansas City Chiefs moved ahead .500 for the first time this season with a 31-0 shellacking of the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

Rashee Rice was credited with two touchdown receptions while making his season debut following a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown also had a scoring grab and Isiah Pacheco ran for a touchdown as the Chiefs (4-3) beat the Raiders for the 14th time in the past 16 meetings.

Kansas City held Las Vegas to 95 total yards and three first downs while posting its first regular-season shutout in the all-time series since 2011 against the then-Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs began taking kneeldowns with 2:36 remaining in the one-sided contest.

Geno Smith completed 10 of 16 passes for 67 yards for Las Vegas (2-5). Ashton Jeanty had just 21 yards on six carries.

Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) missed his third straight game. Standout defensive end Maxx Crosby injured his left knee on a low block from Kansas City tight end Noah Gray in the second quarter and didn’t return. Crosby also is dealing with a back injury.

Mahomes completed 26 of 35 passes as Kansas City had 434 total yards and 30 first downs while controlling the ball for over 42 minutes. Rice caught seven passes for 42 yards.

Kansas City traveled 92, 84 and 94 yards for touchdowns on its three first-half possessions. The Chiefs had huge edges in total offense (275-51), total plays (42-14) and first downs (21-2) in the half.

Kansas City’s first scoring drive was capped with Mahomes’ 2-yard touchdown flip to the in-motion Rice with 5:58 left in the opening quarter.

The Chiefs made it 14-0 on Mahomes’ 8-yard scoring pass to Brown with 9:17 left in the second quarter. Kansas City tacked on another touchdown when Mahomes connected with Rice on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining.

The Chiefs began the second half with the ball and they continued the domination with an 11-play, 65-yard drive. Pacheco scored from the 1 to make it 28-0 with nine minutes left in the third quarter.

Kansas City didn’t score a touchdown for the first time on its next possession, settling for Harrison Butker’s 38-yard field goal to make it a 31-point lead with 2:36 left in the third quarter. Mahomes called it a day at this point and Gardner Minshew finished up at quarterback.

Kenny Pickett replaced Smith for the Raiders in the fourth quarter and fumbled his first snap. The Chiefs’ Jerry Tillery recovered at the Las Vegas 11-yard line with 7:04 to play.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy set to return vs. Ravens

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy is set to return for Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Worthy has been out since he sustained a shoulder injury on the third snap of the season when he collided with teammate Travis Kelce.

Worthy was a limited participant in practice last week and did not play in last Sunday’s victory over the New York Giants. He did not have a designation on Kansas City’s final injury report Friday.

“He was running fast,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said about Worthy’s participation in practice this week. “We didn’t worry about his legs, right? It was an upper-body injury, so he’s been able to keep himself in good shape and ready to go.”

A first-round draft pick out of Texas last year, Worthy, 22, had 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns for the Chiefs. He also ran the ball 20 times for 104 yards and three TDs.

In three playoff games last season, Worthy had 19 receptions for 287 yards with three TDs, including two in the Super Bowl against the Eagles on eight receptions for 157 yards.

The Chiefs fell 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at New Orleans.

Chiefs defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (elbow) did not practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Defensive end Mike Danna (quad) is listed as doubtful, while cornerback Kristian Fulton (ankle) is questionable after both were limited Friday.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy (shoulder) back at practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy returned to practice Thursday, nearly a week after he dislocated his right shoulder in the team’s season-opening defeat Friday against the Los Angeles Chargers at Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Worthy was a non-participant in Chiefs practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles remains in doubt.

Worthy was injured when he collided with teammate Travis Kelce on a crossing pattern during Friday’s game on the third offensive snap.

While running drills at practice Thursday, Worthy was wearing a white protective sleeve on his right arm that included padding at the upper arm and shoulder.

A first-round draft pick out of Texas last year, Worthy, 22, had 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns for the Chiefs. He also ran the ball 20 times for 104 yards and three TDs.

In three playoff games last season, Worthy had 19 receptions for 287 yards with three TDs, including two in the Super Bowl against the Eagles on eight receptions for 157 yards.

The Chiefs fell 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at New Orleans.

–Field Level Media