Aug 13, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson (84) is brought down after a short pass reception by Chicago Bears defensive back Elijah Hicks (37), bottom, and linebacker Caleb Johnson (92) in the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs lost their first preseason game, but the coaching staff still learned plenty in terms of players to watch for.
Patrick Mahomes and Co. found plenty of success with the first-team offense. Unlike some star quarterbacks around the league, Mahomes enjoys playing in the preseason.
Sure, the games are meaningless, but by playing, Mahomes ensures that he’s ready for the regular season.
“Yeah, I like to get in there and I like to get hit like one time,” Mahomes explained. “Once you get hit one time you kind of see what it is to get hit again as a quarterback. I feel like after that you’re good to go.”
And there ya have it.
On his first drive of the game, Mahomes put up some of the Chiefs only points of the game. It’s a good sign of things to come, especially in Year 1 without Tyreek Hill.
However, the fact Kansas City still failed to win the game also speaks to a lack of depth — in a battle of backups, the Bears were better.
Andy Reid and the coaching staff can learn plenty in defeat.
Chiefs who earned a roster spot: Justin Watson
Watson led the entire team with five receptions on six targets, and had 45 yards plus a touchdown. The vertical threat proved he has the route running to match, and is a legitimate option to be the Chiefs’ WR5, at worst.
The former Penn Quaker is a late bloomer at 26 years old, but even in a deep Kansas City receiving corps is making a name for himself.
“You’ve seen it all training camp, and I saw it all OTAs,” Mahomes said. “He can fly, but he’s a bigger guy that can make those tough catches.”
Watson is excited for the opportunity to shine in a new-look offense.
“I think it’ll look a little bit different this year,” Watson admitted. “We definitely have some big-body routes for Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster… There’s a lot of talent out there, a lot of playmakers — I think it’s going to be exciting as an offense.”
If the first-team offense is a preview of what’s to come, Watson will just be one element to get excited about.
