Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Justin Fields plays against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Justin Fields completed all four of his passes in his first quarter as the backup to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, then watched as rookie Ty Simpson led the Los Angeles Rams to a comeback 20-12 preseason win over Kansas City on Saturday.
The Chiefs signed Fields, a former first-round pick of the Bears, to serve as their veteran backup in part because they were unsure whether Mahomes would be ready for Week 1 after reconstructive knee surgery.
But Mahomes, the two-time NFL MVP, has been ahead of schedule throughout his rehab and the Chiefs are optimistic Mahomes will be on the field to face the defending AFC West champion Denver Broncos at home Sept. 14.
The only time Mahomes got on the field Saturday was the coin toss. He was one of the captains, even though he was never playing.
Rams backup Stetson Bennett was 4 of 6 for 38 yards in his lone quarter before giving way to Simpson, their first-round draft pick out of Alabama. He was 21 of 25 for 190 yards with a pair of TD passes to Dean Connors against fourth-stringers in the fourth quarter.
Seventh-round pick Garrett Nussmeier played most of the way for Kansas City, going 13 of 19 for 98 yards.
There were some intriguing -- or at least, funny -- moments in a game played almost entirely by backups.
Take the Chiefs' three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who said quite pointedly earlier this week: "I don't want to play in the preseason." Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo responded by making him play a single snap: the first.
Rams Coach Sean McVay had no interest in playing his starters even that much. His initial group on defense was made up not of first- or second-teamers but third-teamers trying to play their way onto the roster of a Super Bowl contender.
As for Chiefs Coach Andy Reid, he at least took the game seriously enough to challenge an incompletion call. Reid won, too, when the replay showed that tight end Jared Wiley had made a spectacular toe-tapping grab along Los Angeles' sideline.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is tackled by the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is tackled by the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson runs against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson runs against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)