Chiefs vs. Seahawks: Running backs and defense shine, penalties remain a concern

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Updated: 12:09 AM CDT Aug 29, 2026

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Nick Sloan

Digital Content Producer

Preseason is over.

The next time you'll see the Kansas City Chiefs will be on Monday Night Football as they welcome the Denver Broncos to Arrowhead Stadium.

In the last preseason game, jobs may have been solidified or lost. We'll find out by the end of the weekend.

But for tonight, here are some immediate impressions.

Tonight, regardless of stats or plays, was a good night for Garrett Nussmeier

This isn't a Fernando Mendoza situation where he's expected to come in and help turn a struggling franchise around.

This is a situation for Nussmeier to make a case for 2026 and 2027.

It's rare for a rookie to get this much time, but he played the entire game. Circumstances helped create the opportunity, with Patrick Mahomes sitting and Chris Oladokun in concussion protocol, but Nussmeier took advantage of the reps.

There were mistakes, including an early interception that brought a promising drive to an end. But there were also some long drives, where he made some nice throws.

Friday was good for Nussmeier's development.

R Mason Thomas' huge preseason continues

There's not much else to say about R Mason Thomas.

He continues to bring the heat off the edge, sacking and stripping Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe of the ball.

In a promising draft class, Thomas may end up being Chiefs general manager Brett Veach's biggest value pick.

The Chiefs running back room appears to be fixed

Last year, the Chiefs struggled running the ball. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has never had a 1,000-yard running back behind him.

Because of the depth, he may not have one this season, but that doesn't mean it won't be better.

Kenneth Walker III did not play too much in the preseason, but expectations are high. Rookie Emmett Johnson showed explosiveness. Emari Demercado had some very nice runs against Tampa Bay and Seattle.

Brashard Smith had nearly 80 yards on the ground tonight.

Now, the Chiefs have to use the running game and continue to establish balance in the regular season.

Brashard Smith was Kansas City's player of the game

Smith provided one of the biggest plays of the game for the Chiefs, a 57-yard kickoff return. He approached 130 total yards from scrimmage and special teams.

For someone looking to stand out in a crowded running back room, Smith was the biggest winner on Friday.

Andrew Armstrong made his final argument

Armstrong had an early drop, but he finished the game with five catches for 54 yards, including a 20-yard reception that set up the team's first score.

Mansoor Delane keeps looking the part

After missing out on time at training camp, Delane made another impression on Friday night.

He got into the backfield early, bringing down Jacardia Wright for a loss.

If he can lock down wide receivers and be physical against the run, look out.

All those yards need to become touchdowns

Again, it's preseason and again, it's a vanilla playbook.

The Chiefs moved the ball but could not finish things.

One first-half possession went 14 plays and 59 yards before Harrison Butker kicked a 24-yard field goal. The Chiefs later reached the Seattle 1-yard line but settled for a field goal.

The return game could be deeper and more explosive

While Butker has stood out during his career on special teams, it's been a while since the Chiefs have consistently delivered on special teams returns.

The Chiefs could have multiple options at returner, including Smith, who had that 57-yarder. Emmett Johnson had moments and Nikko Remigio was listed as the starter.

The penalties never quite disappeared

They were an issue against the Rams, Buccaneers and tonight against the Seahawks.

Pete Nygra's holding call erased a first-quarter play that would have set up the Chiefs on Seattle's 1-yard line. Jake Briningstool was flagged for offensive pass interference.

Kansas City committed 11 penalties tonight.