The Chargers open up the 2025 regular season at Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, against the Chiefs on Friday, Sept. 5 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
To get you prepped for the Week 1 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.
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Offensive line overhaul
The Chiefs enter this season with a revamped offensive line, particularly on the left side. Rookie Josh Simmons will man the left tackle spot. Simmons, the former Ohio State product, was one of the more talented offensive linemen in this year’s draft, but a torn patellar tendon suffered during the 2024 season caused him to slide to the backend of the first round. Following the departure of Joe Thuney to the Bears, Kingsley Suamataia, a second-round pick in 2024, is slated to move into the starting left guard role. Kansas City also returns center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith, and right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
Rashee Rice suspension
The Chiefs will begin the season without Rice, one of their key receiving threats. He is suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Rice was one of Patrick Mahomes’ top targets during the 2023 season and last year before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4, which came against the Chargers.
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Patrick’s weapons
Not having Rice for the first six games of the season is crucial. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will have second-year Xavier Worthy, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, and Juju Smith-Schuster, both of whom were re-signed to one-year deals. Travis Kelce is returning for his 13th season and remains the starting tight end. Running back Isiah Pacheco is expected to be fully recovered from a fibula fracture that hampered him late in the 2024 season.
Defense is still intact
The Chiefs boast one of the better defenses in the league. After finishing in the top 10 in various categories in 2024, Kansas City returns most of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s core pieces. While they lost safety Justin Reid, as well as a couple of defensive linemen, they still have game-wrecking defensive tackle Chris Jones, an enforcer in the middle of the defense in Nick Bolton, who was re-signed to a three-year, $45 million extension, and one of the NFL’s better cornerbacks in Trent McDuffie. Former Charger Kristian Fulton also signed with the Chiefs on a two-year deal and is expected to start on the outside.
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Under-the-radar Chiefs player to know: Safety Jaden Hicks
After the departure of Justin Reid, Hicks, a fourth-round pick in 2024, is slated to man the strong safety role. The former Washington State product impressed in his limited snaps as a rookie, leading Kansas City with three interceptions despite playing only 31% of the defensive snaps.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Brazil bound: Everything to know about the Chargers’ Week 1 opponent