Chiefs-Buccaneers: 9 takeaways as Kansas City’s young defense stands out
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took advantage of a late turnover by the Chiefs in their 16-15 win.
It’s the Chiefs’ seventh straight preseason loss, but like the previous six, it won’t matter at the end of the day.
Here were nine things that stood out from Saturday’s game in Florida.
The Chiefs secondary passed its Baker Mayfield test
Last week, the Rams did not play reigning MVP Matt Stafford.
This week, the Chiefs saw a starting quarterback. Baker Mayfield played only two drives on offense for Tampa Bay, but the Chiefs should be happy with what they saw.
Mayfield finished with just ten passing yards and managed only one first down on that drive.
First-round draft pick Mansoor Delane got the start and, in limited action, looked quick and aggressive. He missed time during training camp, but certainly did not look overwhelmed.
Jaden Hicks had another impressive game from the safety position, helping the pass defense shutdown the Bucs and forcing a fumble.
R Mason Thomas showed up again
It’s no longer a flash if it’s a pattern.
R Mason Thomas is on his way to meaningful time this regular season.
He nearly intercepted Mayfield early in the game and got into the backfield multiple times. He registered a quarterback hit and made life difficult for the Bucs.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah backs up defensive line coach Joe Cullen
This week, Cullen spoke glowingly of FAU near the end of training camp.
FAU finished with a sack and two quarterback hits, providing consistent pressure in the game.
He became a forgotten man on the defensive line, as the Chiefs have a future Hall of Famer in Chris Jones, George Karlaftis and a handful of rookies and newcomers.
But if he becomes a consistent contributor, the defensive line looks deeper.
Justin Fields was steady and efficient, but the offense lacked punch
His final numbers weren’t bad, completing 9 of 12 for 64 yards and no turnovers.
However, he took a bad sack late in his part of the game and the Chiefs didn’t have a completion longer than nine yards until the second quarter.
Things did open up in his final possession, as he connected with Andrew Armstrong for 14 yards and Jake Briningstool for 15. He later scrambled for 15 yards.
It was a tough night for Kahlil Benson
It’s been one of the best stories of Chiefs training camp.
The undrafted rookie out of Indiana has played well enough to potentially start, but Saturday was a rough night.
Those will come for any rookie, whether it’s Benson or first overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
He was called for two penalties and allowed a sack against Fields that produced a fumble.
The starters and second-stringers did their jobs again on third down
Last year, the Chiefs ranked 29th in third down defense.
Last week, they held the Rams to 2-of-8 on third down and shut down Tampa Bay most of the way until the third stringers fell apart a bit on third down.
The Bucs went 0-for-6 on third down in the first half before finishing 5-of-12, with three of the third down conversions coming late.
Again: preseason disclaimer applies.
Still, if you remembered how things went in 2025, this is a good start to fixing those issues on third down.
Jalen Royals takes a step up in the WR battle
Last week, it was about rookie Cyrus Allen in terms of the young wide receivers.
Saturday, it was Jalen Royals’ turn.
Royals led Kansas City with 51 yards on six receptions, converting every single time he was targeted by a Chiefs quarterback.
It was a tough night for the Chiefs’ offensive line
Benson wasn’t alone in his struggles.
The Chiefs were without Josh Simmons and Trey Smith, so again, disruption was expected.
But in the first half, Chiefs quarterbacks were sacked twice (one was on the quarterback, however) and hit six times.
There were more penalties as well that need to be cleaned up.
Another encouraging night for the rookie class
Thomas created pressure throughout the first half and nearly turned Mayfield over.
Rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods had moments as well.
Emmett Johnson, who lost a touchdown last week because of a penalty, scored the team’s only touchdown on Saturday night.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier directed that scoring drive.
On Saturday night, it felt like the Chiefs defense provided more answers than the offense. There are questions at wide receiver, offensive line and the order of the running back depth chart.
On defense, things looked much improved.
And, yes, Harrison Butker made a 69-yard field goal.