After Friday's final preseason game with the Chicago Bears, rookie Josh Simmons says he's ready to take it up a notch. By Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs won the first three quarters, the Bears the fourth quarter — and that was enough for Chicago to claim a 29-27 triumph in the preseason finale.
The game-winning touchdown came with three seconds remaining and assured a winless preseason for the Chiefs (0-3). But when the starters faced off, the Chiefs dominated.
KC Star of the Game
Patrick Mahomes looked sharp, and that’s a good sign heading into the regular season. He hit Tyquan Thornton on a deep ball, put a nice touch on a 20-yard gain to Travis Kelce and chipped in an 18-yard run. He’s ready to roll.
Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (15) gestures in the first quarter of the Chiefs’ preseason game vs. the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Next: The Chiefs open the regular season on Sept. 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Kickoff will be 7 p.m. Central. The game will be televised in Kansas City by KSHB (Channel 41).
KC Chiefs report card
Passing offense: A
The ball was flying at Arrowhead.
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyquan Thornton (2) celebrates after making a diving catch in the first quarter of the preseason game vs. the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Mahomes’ bomb to Thornton might be a touchdown the next time as Thornton got behind the defense. In the second half, Chris Oladokun and Jimmy Holiday connected on a 50-yard completion. The Chiefs talked plenty in training camp about restoring the deep ball. It happened against the Bears.
Brashard Smith had a drop, but the Chiefs came back to him three plays later; he turned it into a 12-yard gain. Kareem Hunt’s drop in the end zone after a Mahomes scramble on third down cost the Chiefs a touchdown.
Rushing offense: B
Isiah Pacheco looked strong on his three carries and the Chiefs punched in 2-yard scoring runs by Pacheco and Elijah Mitchell. The disappointment came in the fourth quarter when Chiefs reserves couldn’t run out the clock with a five-point lead and punted. The Bears took the ball 87 yards in 86 seconds to score the winning touchdown. The Chiefs averaged a healthy 4.9 yards per attempt.
Passing defense: B
Not much happened for the Bears against the Chiefs’ defensive starters. Caleb Williams played the entire first half and Chicago trailed 20-10 at the break. The Chiefs logged two sacks, one shared by Chris Jones and Charles Omenihu and the other by linebacker Cooper McDonald, a rookie free agent trying to make the team.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones (95) is held during a pass rush in the first quarter of the preseason game vs. the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
It was a big night for cornerback Kristian Fulton, who saw his first action in a Chiefs uniform after missing the first two games recovering from a knee injury.
Rushing defense: C
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be happy with the Chiefs’ early effort. Perhaps the only disappointment was an inability to come up with stops on third-and-short situations before halftime. Jerry Tillery started at tackle over Mike Pennel for the first time in the preseason.
Special teams: A
He’s a long shot to make the team, but cornerback Kevin Knowles, a rookie free agent, showed great hustle coming off the edge to block a Cairo Santos extra point in the fourth quarter.
Otherwise, a third straight solid game across the special teams. Matt Araiza, who has had a good training camp and preseason, didn’t attempt a punt until the fourth quarter, and kicker Harrison Butker remained perfect in the preseason with pair of field goals and three extra points.