Getty

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Trent McDuffie #22, Jaylen Watson #35, and Bryan Cook #6 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate after Cook made an interception in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs received their full 2026 regular season schedule on Thursday.

However, before we get there, Kansas City will have to play its three preseason games. This year’s preseason will be a bit more interesting than usual, as the Chiefs will have several new starters.

Whether or not quarterback Patrick Mahomes plays in preseason is up in the air as he rehabs from his knee injury. It seems likely we will get a heavy dose of new backup quarterback Justin Fields, who the Chiefs acquired earlier this offseason.

Kansas City Chiefs Reveal 2026 Preseason Schedule

Here are the three opponents the Chiefs will play in the preseason, all of which reside in the NFC:

• vs. Los Angeles Rams (Saturday, Aug. 15, 3:00 p.m. CT)
• at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m. CT)
• vs. Seattle Seahawks (Friday, Aug. 28, 7:00 p.m. CT)

The first thing that stands out is that former Chiefs starting cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson will play their first game as members of the Rams in Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City made the bold decision to trade McDuffie ahead of free agency. In return it received draft picks in the first, fifth, and sixth rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, as well as a 2027 third-round selection.

Watson left the Chiefs as a free agent, going on to reunite with McDuffie in Los Angeles. Kansas City had a level of interest in bringing Watson back, but ultimately needed the salary cap savings. Both McDuffie and Watson were drafted by the Chiefs in 2022, making up a very good cornerback tandem for four seasons. They are projected to be replaced by rookie Mansoor Delane and second-year player Nohl Williams.

Another unique thing about Kansas City’s preseason schedule is that it will play the Rams and Seahawks in the regular season. Its matchup against the Seahawks is at home during the preseason, but in Seattle in Week 7 of the regular season. New Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker will take on his former team. Kansas City will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in Week 13, which follows their Thanksgiving Night game against the Buffalo Bills.

Sandwiched in between the Chiefs’ matchups against the Rams and Seahawks in preseason is a road game against the Buccaneers. Kansas City and Tampa Bay won’t face in the regular season, but did in 2024. The Chiefs got a thrilling 30-24 win in that contest, which was played on Monday Night Football. The Buccaneers are coming off a 8-9 2025 season.

Potential Chiefs Positional Battles During Preseason

The starting right tackle job is up for grabs, likely between Jaylon Moore and second-year man Esa Pole. Moore may have the inside track as a veteran, but Pole is very athletic and has a high ceiling.

Kansas City needs someone to step up at strongside linebacker after Leo Chenal left in free agency. Cooper McDonald could be that guy, but he’ll have competition from Cole Christiansen, and potentially Jeffrey Bassa.

The starting safety role opposite of new free agent addition Alohi Gilman is also in question. Jaden Hicks and Chamarri Conner appear to be the first ones up for the job. Conner has spent much of his four-year career playing at nickelback, and Hicks was disappointing in 2025 after an impressive rookie season in 2024.