Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs open their 2025 preseason schedule on the road against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kansas City fans are getting their first looks at seven drafted rookies: left tackle Josh Simmons, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, defensive end Ashton Gillotte, cornerback Nohl Williams, wide receiver Jalen Royals, linebacker Jeff Bassa and running back Brashard Smith. While injured cornerback Kristian Fulton is sitting out this game as he recovers from surgery, fans are also seeing veterans like running back Elijah Mitchell, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and tight end Robert Tonyan get their first playing time with the Chiefs.
First quarter
The game saw a wild start as Cardinals wide receiver fumbled the opening kickoff at the Arizona 23-yard line. Linebacker Jack Cochrane was credited with the forced fumble, and Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith came up with the loose ball. An Arizona blocking penalty then set the Chiefs up at the Arizona 13-yard line to start the drive. Running back Isiah Pacheco started the drive with an eight-yard carry to the 5-yard line. Patrick Mahomes’ first throw of the night went to training camp star Tyquan Thornton. Though the pass fell incomplete, Arizona was called for pass interference in the end zone. A play later, Mahomes found wideout Jason Brownlee for a one-yard touchdown pass. Harrison Butker came on for the extra point to open the scoring at Chiefs 7, Cardinals 0.
Arizona narrowly averted a disaster as the Cardinals again fumbled the kickoff, but they were able to maintain possession. Quarterback Kyler Murray started the drive impressively by converting a third down with a 12-yard throw to Michael Wilson before finding Marvin Harrison Jr. two plays later with a 15-yard throw to give Arizona a first down at the Kansas City 30. Murray and running back James Conner put 13 yards on the ground before the veteran quarterback threw an interception to second-year safety Jaden Hicks. The Chiefs took possession at their own 21-yard line.
Despite Andy Reid’s pledge to give each quarterback a quarter, Gardner Minshew came on for Mahomes for the second possession. The drive started with promise as Minshew found Thornton for a 15-yard gain, and Kareem Hunt added a 10-yard run to the Arizona 47-yard line. Unfortunately, the possession stalled near midfield with Minshew fumbling a snap before rookie Jalen Royals’ first catch going for a one yard loss. Punter Matt Araiza came on at the Arizna 49-yard line and placed the ball inside the 10-yard line. A short return set the Cardinals up at their own 18-yard line.
With many of the Chiefs’ defensive regulars exiting the game, the Cardinals’ starting offense had little difficulty moving the ball. Murray started the drive with a 21-yard pass to tight end Trey McBride. A few plays later, running back Trey Benson appeared to set up a first down at the Kansas City 12-yard line, but a personal foul forced second-and-21 at the 35-yard line. Murray...
