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[Kansas City Chiefs]

AP Mailbag: What to expect from Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith

Welcome back to the Arrowhead Pride Mailbag! Each week, watch for your opportunity to submit your Kansas City Chiefs questions in The Feed, which is found on AP’s home page.

Ahead of Sunday’s matchup between the Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens — with both teams unexpectedly at 1-2 — let’s see what is on our readers’ minds.

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jherman13 asks: ​

The rookie running back Brashard Smith looked like the only weapon out of the backfield. Why aren’t we seeing more touches for him?

MKE_Bake asks:​

What is the floor / ceiling on Jalen Royals Week 4 performance? I know he wasn’t on the radar in Week 3, but we would expect to at least see him targeted against the Ravens… right?

We’ll consider these two players together, since they are more likely to have an immediate impact on the offense than any hypothetical trade addition.

I actually like how the Chiefs have sprinkled Smith in over the first three weeks. We should also remember that he is a seventh-round selection who did not play running back until his final college season (and then after transferring). Concerns about the room should not dictate expectations for an individual rookie.

Presumably, Smith’s role will gradually grow. On Sunday, Kansas City did give him an opportunity on an aggressive pass that he didn’t reel in. Smith, however, did well on his two carries, so the Chiefs will likely build on that. Still, I don’t expect him to carve out a full-time role on offense this season, simply because of his contributions in the return game. Smith is Kansas City’s best candidate to score on the league’s new kickoff formation.

In this game, Royals may actually have a lower floor than the zero snaps he played in last Sunday’s win over the New York Giants. With Xavier Worthy presumably returning, the Chiefs could have seven wide receivers available for the first time this season. So a wideout will likely be made inactive against Baltimore — and Royals or Jason Brownlee would be the obvious candidates.

Given Kansas City’s obvious need for yards after the catch, I suspect Royals will play and have some designed plays against the Ravens — though I’d caution against high expectations for a rookie coming off a month-long injury. Barring a fluke busted coverage or missed tackle, I think his ceiling would be something similar to Rashee Rice’s debut in 2023: 20 offensive snaps, with three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Otis Taylor asks:​

Is there a running back out there who could raise the ceiling? How about a trade?

If you look at the current list of available free agent running backs, it’s not inspiring. I rarely overreact, but after the mental lapses we saw in New York, I am very concerned about Isiah Pacheco. But I’d bet on him rebounding before I’d put money on Kansas City signing one of the available free agents.

The Chiefs should be tied to available running backs via trade, though recent injuries around the league may adversely affect the supply and demand at the position. It’s also early to speculate on individual players, since the trade deadline is not until November 4. Every team is still hoping for a postseason berth.

I do expect Kansas City to continue evaluating Smith before considering external additions. I would also like to see what Elijah Mitchell can do — but after being a healthy scratch in each game, there’s no sign he is in the team’s current plans.

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@Jake_for_now asks (via X):​

A growing number of Chiefs fans are calling for Jawaan Taylor to be replaced at right tackle by Jaylon Moore. Does Reid’s reluctance to make the change signal that the Chiefs are prioritizing Moore’s availability to be a backup at left tackle and left guard?

What do you do when a player is so penalized that NBC made sure to have a graphic on hand illustrating his misalignment?

Amidst several questions about Taylor and Moore, I think Jake has nailed it. Right now, Kansas City is prioritizing Moore’s value as a versatile substitute more than the possibility of fewer penalties at right tackle.

Two weeks ago, I theorized that the team didn’t want to commit prematurely to Kingsley Suamataia at left guard because his 2024 tenure at left tackle ended before two full games had been played. But now, I wonder if the reasoning is that Moore is the main backup to rookie left tackle Josh Simmons.

Although Simmons has been everything the Chiefs could have wanted from a rookie coming off a major injury, the team appears to be concerned about his ability to withstand the typical 100% snap count figure for offensive linemen. Head coach Andy Reid said Simmons missed a series against the Philadelphia Eagles because he was dehydrated — and last week, he was limited with an illness as the practice week began. Finally, Moore took the last six snaps at left tackle on Sunday — which included not only the three kneel-downs to end the game, but also the penultimate series where Kansas City failed to ice the game with a first down.

But I do predict that by the Week 10 bye, Moore will have a chance to replace Taylor. Right now, though, the Chiefs seem to think he’ll be needed elsewhere. Once Simmons is stacking full workloads in practice (and on game days), that could change.

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MattPlace asks:​

Could Tyquan Thornton be the best WR3 the Chiefs have had since… forever? Should he be signed to an extension?

Thornton has certainly been a high point of Kansas City’s offense. His postgame comments on Sunday further revealed how he’s worked to the most of his second NFL chance after the New England Patriots waived him last season.

But three games isn’t a large enough sample for making future plans; Thornton won’t be getting a serious contract extension in September. And next spring, the Chiefs’ wide receiver contract priority will probably be a new deal for Rashee Rice — assuming he comes back from suspension looking like the player we saw in training camp and the preseason.

Besides… no agent would advise Thornton to seek an extension at this point. He is currently on pace for 969 receiving yards over 17 games. Given the connection he and Patrick Mahomes are developing on deep passes — and even assuming his pace slows when Worthy and Rice return — Thornton is likely to gain at least 600 yards. Wide receiver is, after all, usually the position where teams reward potential over production during the spring’s free agency cycle. Whether in Kansas City or elsewhere, Thornton stands to make significant money by continuing to do what he is doing.

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Thank you for reading this week’s Arrowhead Pride Mailbag! Keep watching The Feed for a chance to ask your questions.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...at-to-expect-from-jalen-royals-brashard-smith

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs seek second 2025 win against 1-2 Ravens team

On Sunday afternoon, the (1-2) Kansas City Chiefs host the (1-2) Baltimore Ravens on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time on CBS — locally on KCTV/5. The game will be available on every CBS affiliate nationwide, except for those that will carry the matchup between the (1-2) Chicago Bears and (1-2) Las Vegas Raiders.

This has long been considered one of the season’s premier matchups — although few would have predicted that both teams would have two losses after the season’s first three weeks. Kansas City is coming off its first win of the season — a 22-9 road victory over the New York Giants — while Baltimore is on a short week following its 38-30 home loss to the Detroit Lions.

The two teams last met in 2024’s season opener — a game that became noteworthy because of its final play. Trailing 27-20 with five seconds reemaining, the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson found tight end Isaiah Likely for a 10-yard touchdown pass that was overturned when officials found that as he was making catch, the tip of Likely’s shoe had been out of bounds.

• Chiefs-Ravens Wednesday injury report: Everyone on the field
• AP Mailbag: What to expect from Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith
• NFL power rankings Week 4 roundup: Chiefs drop again
• Chiefs open as underdogs to the Ravens in Week 4

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...fs-ravens-week-4-kansas-city-seeks-second-win

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Seahawks-Cardinals Week 4 TNF discussion

For the NFL’s Week 4, “Thursday Night Football” has the (2-1) Seattle Seahawks and the (2-1) Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West battle from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Let’s talk about tonight’s matchup!

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...2288/seahawks-cardinals-week-4-tnf-discussion

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

It’s not just talk: Tyquan Thornton is helping the Chiefs stretch the field again

You’re as surprised as I am, right? We can all acknowledge we didn’t see this coming from the Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.

Sure… he was the buzz of training camp. But we’ve all seen this story before. The darling of training camp often fizzles out by the start of the regular season — and even those who make the roster are often remembered more for their preseason highlight reels than anything they do when the games matter.

This story, though, seems to have a different ending. It might just be there is something more lasting — more permanent — in Thornton.

And he might be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Chiefs’ offense.

Yes… not everything in the Kansas City offense has been fixed. Its performance against the New York Giants certainly left plenty to be desired. But so far, this season has been about the offense taking baby steps. One of those is taking the top off of defenses with more deep balls. These are risky throws — but as we learned during quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ first couple of years as a starter, their potential reward is substantial.

In recent years, however, the two-time MVP hasn’t displayed much trust in his wide receivers’ ability to win their downfield routes — simply because many of his wideouts have earned that distrust. That’s why Mahomes’ deep-ball attempts have been decreasing every year.

Until now, that is.

Trust between Mahomes and Thornton is growing visibly. On Sunday, Mahomes targeted Thornton with four passes that traveled at least 20 yards downfield. While Thornton only caught one, it resulted in a 33-yard gain — Kansas City’s fifth-longest passing play of the season. Thornton has now been involved in three of the team’s five longest pass plays of 2025.

According to Pro Football Focus, no NFL receiver has more deep targets than Thornton (11), He’s averaging more than 3.5 deep targets per game, which works out to 60 deep shots over a 17-game season.

This follows a season in which PFF counted just 54 Mahomes passes that traveled at least 20 yards through the air. That’s to everyone — not just one player. In 2025, the team’s leading pass-catcher — Xavier Worthy — finished with 21 such targets.

It’s been a long time since Mahomes targeted anyone deep down the field at this kind of pace. Justin Watson (24) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (26) led the Chiefs in deep targets in 2023 and 2022. As you might expect, Tyreek Hill had 28, 38, 24 and 48 deep targets Mahomes’ first four seasons as the starter.

Thornton’s pace will likely slow down. DK Metcalf and Terry McLaurin led all NFL wide receivers with just 32 deep targets last year; Hill’s 2018 season was the last one with at least 45 deep shots.

But this is, of course, exactly what the Chiefs wanted. For two years. Kansas City has been promising an offense with more deep throws — but up to this point, it’s been more talk than action.

Even with Worthy (and nominal top wideout Rashee Rice) missing through the first three games of the season, Thornton’s presence has allowed the Chiefs to replace their talk with action.

Thornton is opening up the offense in a way the Chiefs haven’t done since Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s first year with the team. What will Kansas City do less than a month from now, when Worthy and Rice will both be back in the lineup? Who will be the third wide receiver? Will Hollywood Brown retain his snaps? Or will Thornton take his place?

Barring a significant change in his production, I would argue the case for Thornton. Not only is he a better downfield threat than Brown, he’s also taking more outside snaps (78%) than Brown (50%). That’s noteworthy because both Worthy and Rice do their best work from the slot, where there are only so many snaps to go around.

But all of that is to be determined. Here’s what’s important right now: the Chiefs have found an answer to one of their biggest offensive questions. That much is worthy of celebration — especially since it seemed to come out of nowhere.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...n-helping-patrick-mahomes-stretch-field-again

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Dave Toub is confident that Harrison Butker will bounce back soon

Through three games of the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ placekicker Harrison Butker has had some struggles. He’s missed two of nine field goal attempts and two of five extra points — one of the latter from 48 yards after a penalty.

But special teams coordinator Dave Toub isn’t sounding any alarms. Instead, he believes his placekicker only needs to make some small adjustments — and a reset in approach.

“We’re assuming right now that it’s just a small little thing,” Toub told reporters this week. “It’s technical. We look at the tape and see it’s an unusual miss for him: to miss it [to the] right. So it’s got to be his ball contact.

“He doesn’t need to do more; he does a lot already. If anything, we need to cut down what he does and get more specific on making sure the contact is good — [and] the rotation of the ball and the fundamentals are down.”

Toub said the staff is treating the slump as a chance to get back to basics.

“You go back from scratch,” he explained. “You evaluate it, you talk about it, you look at the tape, you build your confidence back — and then you go.”

Toub acknowledged that they’re also working on adjusting Butker’s balance between accuracy and distance.

“That’s one of the things we talked about,” Toub said. “We kick a lot of long kicks in practice. We’re going to kick more shorter kicks and less longer kicks, because the shorter kicks are the ones that you have to have. Obviously, you want to try to get the long ones too, but we can’t spend our time doing that. We have to get more specific and talk about the accuracy of the ball on those shorter kicks. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Toub also dismissed any lingering concerns after Butker’s knee injury last season.

“He’s in a good spot now because he has confidence in his ankle and he’s not dropping down,” he noted. “That’s not the issue right now. It’s just the ball contact — the way his foot’s hitting the ball. [He’s] leaving it outside instead of following through. But it’s not the knee. There’s nothing with that.”

Now entering his 25th season as an NFL special teams coach, Toub’s experience suggests the best approach to keep Butker’s focus forward.

“I haven’t had too many guys that had a long slump,” he said. “Hopefully this week is the start of a new streak — a good streak. That’s what we always look at: it’s always about the next kick.”

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ub-confident-harrison-butker-will-bounce-back

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

5 things to watch in the Chiefs’ Week 4 showdown with the Ravens

The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will kick off at 3:25 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS. This will be the fifth regular-season matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, with Mahomes leading the series 4-1.

These games have often come down to the wire, and neither team will want to fall to a 1-3 record.

Here are five things to watch on Sunday.

1. The return of Xavier Worthy​

After sustaining a shoulder injury in Week 1 — exiting the game after only three snaps following a collision with tight end Travis Kelce — the second-year wideout is expected to return on Sunday. It was initially thought he had suffered a more serious injury — but after a few weeks of rest, he is back.

Even if Worthy is not yet at full health, his speed and deep-ball threat — as well as his ability to stretch the field — will make him valuable. In Week 3, Kansas City was able to attack downfield when quarterback Patrick Mahomes connected with wide receiver Tyquan Thornton for several big gains in critical situations.

With Worthy back in the fold, the offense should open up even more, gaining a much-needed burst of juice for a unit that currently ranks in the bottom half of the league in points scored.

2. More snaps for Nohl Williams​

In limited looks so far this season, the rookie cornerback has quietly put together a string of quality snaps. In the Chiefs’ first two games, he showed strong physical coverage skills and a good understanding of the defense. Against the New York Giants last Sunday, he played a career-high 19 defensive snaps and made several nice plays on the ball when given chances.

The Kansas City secondary is once again shaping up to be a strength of the team. For Williams to find the field early is an encouraging sign of things to come.

3. Containing Lamar Jackson​

Through the early portion of the season, Jackson ranks second among quarterbacks in rushing yards and ranks 10th in the league in passing with 722 yards. The two-time MVP has been the catalyst for the league’s highest-scoring team: Baltimore has put up 111 points through three games.

Jackson is one of the league’s elite talents. The Chiefs’ defense will have its hands full with him.

In the past, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has used a “spy by committee” approach against Jackson. Everyone from linebackers to safeties — and even defensive linemen — has taken part, hoping to disguise the spy enough to keep Jackson guessing.

The Ravens’ offense knows how to exploit defenses that commit a single player to spying Jackson. Quick routes and fast-hitting plays are often designed to take advantage of misaligned defenders.

The Kansas City defensive line will face a tall task: generating pressure while containing Jackson in the pocket, preventing him from using his electrifying playmaking abilities. Pass-rush integrity will be crucial. But when linemen do get the chance to pin their ears back, they must finish plays — either with Jackson on the ground or forcing him to throw the ball away.

4. Stopping Derrick Henry​

Now in his 10th NFL season, Henry doesn’t seem to have lost any steam. Henry ranks fourth in rushing with 242 yards and three touchdowns, serving as the perfect complement to Jackson. Averaging 5.9 yards per carry, he has produced explosive runs while remaining a down-to-down hammer.

The biggest issue for Henry so far has been ball security. He has fumbled in each of Baltimore’s first three games, losing two against the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. Both turnovers came in critical spots — and ultimately contributed to the Ravens’ losses.

Kansas City’s defenders will be tempted to try to strip the ball, but the priority must be rallying to the football and tackling Henry. Still as powerful as ever, he can shrug off arm tackles — meaning defenders must wrap him up below the waist and get him on the ground.

This will be a tough week for the Chiefs’ front seven. Clogging run lanes and making stops will fall heavily on the shoulders of both the defensive line and the linebackers.

5. A sense of urgency​

This game is monumental for both teams. The Baltimore offense has been electric — scoring at will — but poorly-timed turnovers and defensive regression have led to the team’s 1-2 start. Meanwhile, Kansas City has been in nearly the opposite situation. The offense — still not at full strength — has sputtered in key moments, while the defense has come up big to keep the team competitive.

Both teams could easily be undefeated right now. Instead, they must settle for being .500 at best. The winner will erase early-season blemishes and turn the tide, while the loser will fall into a 1-3 hole — a place no team wants to be.

Both sides will play with heightened urgency, and the result could have huge playoff implications down the line.

There are very few must-win games in September, but this one is about as close as it gets.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...182404/chiefs-ravens-5-things-to-watch-week-4

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Let’s Argue: Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl

In our “Let’s Argue” series, our Mark Gunnels considers the hot takes, wacky predictions and unpopular opinions of Kansas City Chiefs fans from all over the world.

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Kansas City won’t make the postseason​

No playoffs this year.

— James Gray (@electro211) September 23, 2025

This is uncharted territory for the Chiefs.

The reigning AFC champions started the season 0-2 for the first time since 2014. Despite the win over the New York Giants, it’s safe to say the Chiefs didn’t leave a lasting impression on the masses.

At halftime, the team only led 9-6.

Things looked much crisper offensively in the second half. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes started getting the ball out quicker — and we saw our weekly Tyquan Thornton deep shot.

Barring major injuries to key players, I don’t see a world where Kansas City misses the playoffs. It helps when you have players like Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice waiting in the wings.

The Chiefs will return to the Super Bowl​

Chiefs going to the super bowl

— frogmen79 (@JayRobertKlein1) September 24, 2025

We’re going from a pessimist to an optimist.

I think it’s more likely for the Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl for a fourth consecutive season than it is for them to miss the playoffs.

Why?

Because when you have head coach Andy Reid and Mahomes leading the team, it’s hard for me to count them out.

Yes… I understand the criticisms of Reid, and some of them are valid. But it comes down this: which AFC team can knock them out?

When all the chips are on the table, I’m going to bet on Kansas City — until proven otherwise.

The Jawaan Taylor jersey I ordered was really 5 penalty flags​

I ordered a Jawaan Taylor jersey and it came with 5 penalty flags instead

— JR@Peacepipe4all (@PeacePipe4Allok) September 23, 2025

I’m sorry this happened to you.

Taylor is now the most maligned figure among Chiefs Kingdom — and for good reason: he leads the league in penalties.

While it’s getting to the point of no return, it appears the coaching staff is sticking by his side. To be fair, he’s really good in pass protection. That’s the frustrating part about it. When the team is without its top two receivers, the margin for error is very slim.

Kareem Hunt is the Chiefs’ RB1​

Kareem is the #1 back

— michael pacheco (@Insane_Cowboy_) September 24, 2025

Let’s be honest: he Chiefs don’t have a true RB1.

If you look around the league, I don’t think Isiah Pacheco nor Kareem Hunt would be the top back on any team. That’s unfortunately where Kansas City’s running back room currently stands.

Could a trade be on the horizon?

Sure.

The three names that keep getting floated are Alvin Kamara, Breece Hall, and De’Von Achane. Ironically, all three play for 0-3 teams. If those clubs continue to struggle, the likelihood of a fire sale increases.

In the meantime, the Chiefs have to get as much as they can from the guys they currently have.

How about some Brashard Smith? That would be a welcome sight.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...efs-hot-takes-week-4-team-going-to-super-bowl

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Ravens LIVE updates: Action underway at Arrowhead

Two of the NFL’s most-feared quarterbacks lead their 1-2 teams to a long-awaited Week 4 matchup on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens. In the seven seasons Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson have been battling, each has been named the league’s MVP in two different seasons — but Jackson is 1-5 in his starts against the Chiefs. A single score has decided all but one of these matchups — and few expect this game to be much different.

First quarter​

The Chiefs won the kickoff and deferred. Running back Justice Hill took Harrison Butker’s kick in front of the end zone and returned the ball to the Baltimore 30-yard line to start Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...k-4-live-score-updates-highlights-injury-news