RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: Khalil Benson #70 of the Kansas City Chiefs blocks Rueben Bain #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs played a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night. Many players were out for both teams, so there’s not too much you can take away from this game. Still, important things happen in the preseason that translate to the regular season.
Here are three things I took away from the game that I feel matter in the regular season.
Offense
Tackle options behind Josh Simmons are concerning
The most essential player on the Chiefs is quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After watching last night’s preseason game, it’s hard to come to any other conclusion than left tackle Josh Simmons being the second-most essential Chief this year.
Simmons didn’t play in this game with a back injury. Veteran Jaylon Moore was the starting left tackle with Khalil Benson playing right tackle. When Moore went to the bench in the second quarter, Esa Pole took over at left tackle.
All three tackles looked poor in this game. Moore was giving up the corner consistently. He struggled getting out of his stance to cut off the corner, which was a problem for him last year.
Benson has been getting first-team reps with the offense throughout training camp. Benson has shown good signs as a run blocker. He’s good on the backside of zone runs where he works on the backside defensive tackle and opens a cutback lane. He’s even shown some ability to pull and move in space.
Anthony Nelson bringing the pressure on defense 💪 Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/XXDZBHqHPu
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2026
However, in pass protection, Benson doesn’t look ready to play in the NFL.
Bain with a sick hump move. Sheesh! pic.twitter.com/err5hv3PH2
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 22, 2026
He’s struggled to get out of his stance and meet pass rushers at the top of the arc. He’s had to open his hips too far to try and cut off the corner, which led to Buccaneers defensive end Reuben Bain using that against him by going inside on a hump move and nearly getting a sack.
When Pole came in for Moore, things got worse.
Pole was getting plenty of reps going one-on-one with Buccaneers reserve pass rusher David Walker, and Walker was feasting on that matchup. Walker was winning in every way, constantly getting Pole off balance. He was easily getting around the corner before Pole could wash him out.
David Walker is easily the best player on the field right now The Chiefs can’t stop his pass rush bag pic.twitter.com/a8INsLoDLF
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 23, 2026
Walker used an inside spin move in this game that nearly resulted in a sack. Pole had chip help from rookie running back Emmett Johnson, so all he needed to do was protect his inside shoulder, and he wasn’t able to do that.
David Walker showed plenty of juice off the edge. Very close to having 3 sacks pic.twitter.com/1CZ1Yixzvs
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 23, 2026
When Simmons plays, the Chiefs’ lack of tackle depth will be less glaring. I’m terrified of the options at right tackle right now, but the other four offensive linemen are so good that it will help. The offense can use chips and add extra bodies to help any right tackle since Simmons doesn’t need any help.
However, if Simmons gets hurt at all, the Chiefs might be screwed offensively. The unit wouldn’t be able to pass protect at all. The coaching staff couldn’t call any downfield dropbacks. The play calling would have to keep two chips in at all times, which limits you to three downfield receivers. Mahomes might not move as much this year, making tackle play even more important.
Suffice to say, the team cannot lose Simmons for any extended period this year.
Defense
Edge rush has a different level of explosiveness, but Peter Woods has been concerningly quiet
On the flip side, there are things to be encouraged about with the defensive line, particularly at defensive end. To start, former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah looked very good in this game. Anudike-Uzomah showed a different level of explosiveness and first step in this preseason game. Anudike-Uzomah’s get-off has been poor throughout his career, so it was staggering to see how well he got off the ball and around the corner in this game.
FAU said “Here comes the BOOM” 💥 pic.twitter.com/Z4gStRNXbO
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) August 23, 2026
Now, Anudike-Uzomah was going up against backup tackles, so he still needs to prove he can do that to starting tackles. With that being said, he has never looked this athletic even in preseason. There’s reason to believe he could give the Chiefs some pass-rush presence this year.
R Mason Thomas SHEESH 🔥 🎥 via @ClayWendler pic.twitter.com/bbLZlrLmY2
— SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) August 23, 2026
The Chiefs’ second-round rookie, R Mason Thomas, had nice flashes in this game after a few in preseason Week 1. It’s very clear that Thomas’s quickness is legit and something this team needed. His get-off and burst can get him quick wins in a way no other recent defensive end has had. Thomas has the get-off to blow up plays before they even happen.
Now, similar to Anudike-Uzomah, we’ll need to see Thomas do it against starting tackles that are more prepared for his speed. One thing Thomas does need to improve is his balance and bend. He does a good job getting to the top of the arc, but he needs to work on his balance to turn that tight corner. He’s still struggling to maintain his speed at that point. If he can improve that, he could be a devastating speed rusher.
On the negative side, I haven’t been impressed with rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods through two preseason games.
All the concerns I had about Woods at Clemson have shown up in these two games. Woods has lacked power in his ha...
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