Kansas City Chiefs News

The 2020 NFL opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans did not result in any positive COVID-19 tests among players or team staff, ESPN reported on Thursday.One groundskeeper who was not near players tested positive, Adam Schefter reported.All players were tested after the Week 1 game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 10. The results represent an encouraging sign for the NFL, which is not using the type of campus environment or bubble location that helped the NBA, NHL and WNBA control spread of the coronavirus.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid saw his team enjoy a convincing 34-20 victory over the Houston Texans in the NFL season opener on Thursday night.Well, presumably he saw it.Reid's fogged-up face shield was one of the primary topics of conversation over social media during the game. It was discussed after the contest as well."That was brutal," Reid said after the game. "I didn't do very good with that thing. It will be better the next time. I appreciate you asking that, though. It was a bit of a mess, but we'll get it fixed."Reid opted to wear the face shield in response to the coronavirus pandemic, while Houston coach Bill O'Brien chose to don a mask.Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson had a clear view of Reid's troubles on Thursday.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hit the road for the first time in 2020 on Sunday for an AFC West matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.The Chargers are playing their first-ever game at brand-new SoFi Stadium, which opened Sunday night when the Rams hosted the Dallas Cowboys.The Chargers (1-0) opened the season with a 16-13 win at Cincinnati. The team, which spent the previous three seasons in Carson, Calif., makes the short trek north on the 405 freeway to Inglewood and their new home, completing a relocation from San Diego.Rookie running back Joshua Kelley rushed for the Chargers' sole touchdown, filling in for Justin Jackson in Week 1. Jackson remains questionable with a quadriceps injury.The new look isn't limited to the stadium digs for the Chargers. Gone is Philip Rivers, the team's starting quarterback since 2006, and Tyrod Taylor started Week 1. He went 16 of 30 for 208 yards.While Los Angeles played clean football with no turnovers, Taylor said Wednesday that improved efficiency is an emphasis against a high-scoring Kansas City side."We've got to be better on third down than we were last week," Taylor said, "and we have to execute better in the red zone."The Chargers converted 6 of 16 third downs, failed on two fourth-down conversion tries, and scored just the one red-zone touchdown.Offensive guard Trai Turner's likely return to the offensive line -- he participated in limited practice on Wednesday -- could provide a boost. Center Mike Pouncey remains questionable with a hip injury.Kansas City (1-0) is rested. The Chiefs rolled past Houston in the first game of the season on Sept. 10, 34-20. Kansas City led 31-7 early in the fourth quarter and Patrick Mahomes tossed three touchdown passes.Mahomes, coming off a stellar 2019 in which he passed for more than 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns, said he feels more comfortable in the offense in 2020.It helps to have Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the Chiefs' first-round pick in 2020, who rushed for 138 yards against Houston.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 211 yards and three touchdowns Thursday as the Kansas City Chiefs opened the NFL season, and defense of their Super Bowl title, by dropping the Houston Texans 34-20 in Kansas City, Mo.After being named the Super Bowl MVP in February, the last time the preseason-less NFL took the field, Mahomes looked every bit worth the half-billion dollars wrapped into a 10-year deal he received in the offseason. He completed 24 of 32 passes.Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire also commanded attention. Kansas City's first-round pick from LSU gained 138 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was also rewarded with a lucrative offseason contract extension, could not sustain any rhythm until it was too late. He connected on 20 of 32 passes for 253 yards, while passing and rushing for fourth-quarter touchdowns.Players from both teams gathered and locked arms before the game in a moment of unity. Some Chiefs fans, comprising the restricted attendance (15,895) imposed as a COVID-19 safety measure, booed the midfield demonstration.The Chiefs were on the field for both the national anthem and "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The Texans remained in their locker room during both songs.The victory was the sixth straight for Kansas City in a season opener. Counting last year's postseason, the Chiefs have won 10 in a row.Sammy Watkins caught seven passes for 82 yards and a touchdown for Kansas City, which scored 31 consecutive points after Houston struck for the first score. The Chiefs drew just one penalty.

Kansas City Chiefs starting cornerback Charvarius Ward sustained a fractured hand in Thursday night's 34-20 season-opening win over the Houston Texans.It was not immediately known how long Ward will be sidelined for the Chiefs (1-0), who temporarily are without their other starting cornerback. Bashaud Breeland is serving a four-game NFL suspension for a violation of the league's policy on substance abuse.Ward, 24, was credited with one tackle on Thursday. He has recorded 105 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 30 career games (19 starts) with the Chiefs.

The Houston Texans remained in the locker room for the national anthem prior to the 2020 season opener at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday night.After the anthem was completed with the Chiefs on the field, the Texans trotted out from the stadium tunnel and briefly went to their sideline.The two teams, led first by quarterbacks Deshaun Watson of the Texans and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, walked from their sideline to midfield for a planned "moment of unity."The public address announcer called for the limited crowd at Arrowhead Stadium to observe a moment of silence. Mahomes waved his hands to quiet the crowd.

The Kansas City Chiefs have taken out an insurance policy on the contract of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes -- a rare occurrence in the NFL, ESPN's Field Yates reported Thursday.The Super Bowl champion Chiefs open their season Thursday night against the Houston Texans. In the offseason, they gave Mahomes the richest contract in American sports history, a 10-year extension that could be worth as much as $503 million.The insurance would kick in should an injury keep Mahomes from fulfilling his contract, which runs through 2031. The Chiefs guaranteed $140 million of the money against injury, and the insurance likely would give them the option to recoup some of those funds.ESPN said the insurance also would provide Kansas City with a salary-cap credit of Mahomes' salary should he be sidelined.Mahomes, who turns 25 next week, is entering his third season as the Chiefs' starter. His achievements over the first two seasons? A league Most Valuable Player award, an All-Pro and two Pro Bowl selections, and a Super Bowl championship.

The Kansas City Chiefs received their diamond-laden Super Bowl rings in a socially distanced and private ceremony on Tuesday night at Arrowhead Stadium.The rings feature 255 diamonds, 36 rubies and 10.5 carats of precious gems in all. Sixty of the diamonds are shaped into an arrowhead, with 60 signifying the team's seasons of existence.The players stood at individual tables scattered around the Arrowhead turf and opened the boxes placed on each table in unison. As quarterback Patrick Mahomes -- MVP of the Chiefs 31-20 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV in February -- removed his from the box, the smile on his face was evident, even through his face mask.But it turned out that wasn't the biggest ring ceremony of the night for Mahomes.Afterward, he proposed to his high school sweetheart, Brittany Matthews, in a luxury box at Arrowhead Stadium filled with white flowers and lighted letters arranged to spell "Will you marry me?" and presented her with an enormous diamond engagement ring.

The Kansas City Chiefs dispensed with all the spoils, distributing rings, raising a championship banner and roping the moon to pay Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Now comes the hard part.The Chiefs open defense of their Super Bowl title on Thursday night at home against the Houston Texans."You can feel the intensity, you can feel that mentality," Mahomes said. "I think everyone's at the point now where we're just ready to play football again. We had that great year last year, but that's last year. We're a brand-new football team."At least in some sense. Kansas City does return 17 of 22 starters from a squad that rallied to win all three of its postseason games by double digits.The defending champions get a stage all their own in a primetime rematch with the Texans at the scene of Kansas City's stunning 2020 playoff win.Mahomes, the Super Bowl MVP, was rewarded with a 10-year contract worth a record $503 million. Yet the Chiefs still retained other key players in separate negotiations, namely defensive tackle Chris Jones.They won't get quite the welcome expected for Kansas City's first world champion in a half-century because of crowd restrictions limiting capacity around the NFL -- including at Arrowhead Stadium -- stemming from safety measures related to COVID-19.Nonetheless, the Chiefs enter the season as a favorite to repeat. Going stale is no concern with head coach Andy Reid, who has his own new contract to cap an offseason in which a few new toys were added.And not with an offense filled with talented weapons for Mahomes to tap."It's tricky to say what's new and what's not new," said tight end Travis Kelce, "because obviously it's no secret what coach Reid does. He puts guys in different positions on the field to succeed and maximizes their strengths, which is why he such an unbelievable offensive mind."One newcomer to watch will be rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a first-round draft pick expected to start after Damien Williams opted out of the season. Edwards-Helaire showed his versatility while helping LSU capture a national championship last season and poses a threat as a receiver out of the backfield."You go in with the mentality, especially with our offense," said Mahomes, "that someone can really have a big game. Clyde's definitely one of those guys."

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach agreed to terms on six-year contract extensions through the 2025 season, multiple media outlets reported.Financial terms were not disclosed.The reported deals are the latest for a Chiefs team that is looking to build a dynasty. Kansas City recently signed star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a mammoth 10-year contract extension and locked up five-time Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce and standout defensive lineman Chris Jones to separate four-year deals.Reid and Veach both joined the Chiefs in 2013, with the former serving in his role as head coach while the latter started as a scout before being promoted to general manager in 2017.Reid, 62, owns a 77-35 coaching record with the Chiefs after posting a 130-93-1 mark during 14 seasons at the helm of the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2012).

The Kansas City Chiefs raised their Super Bowl LIV championship banner in front of approximately 5,000 fans following Saturday's practice at Arrowhead Stadium.The Chiefs will repeat the ceremony on Sept. 10 when they open the NFL season against the Houston Texans."The championship banner is going to be special," star quarterback Patrick Mahomes said, per ESPN. "It's going to be something you'll remember for the rest of your life. I'm glad we have a lot of the same guys on the team that were with me for that journey.

The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will practice Saturday with up to 2,000 fans in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium.And that number could go up next weekend.The Chiefs extended the offer to season-ticket holders, requiring them to wear masks and encouraging social distancing. The team previously announced it intends to have fans at games at 22 percent of capacity, or about 16,000, inside Arrowhead Stadium when the 2020 season begins.If the experiment is successful, the team could allow up to 5,000 next weekend when the Chiefs will raise their Super Bowl championship flag.The Kansas City organization's statement that it plans to have fans at games in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic was made in conjunction with the NFL as well as Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas, along with input from the city's health director and EMS medical director.Single-game tickets for the first three home games will go on sale Aug. 24. Season tickets holders will be given first priority to purchase tickets in order of tenure.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill's hamstring injury is not expected to sideline him for long, coach Andy Reid said on Friday."It's not a big tear or anything like that," Reid said, according to ESPN. Reid added that he expects Hill to return to practice within a few days.Hill sustained the injury after reeling in a touchdown catch from Chad Henne during a one-on-one drill with cornerback Charvarius Ward. Hill was able to walk off the field under his own power, but did not return to practice.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hill missed four games last season because of injury. He recorded 58 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced Thursday they are banning fans from wearing headdresses or face paint that "references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions" at Arrowhead Stadium.The team is also "engaged in a thorough review process of the Arrowhead Chop and plan to have additional discussions in the future," according to a news release.In the release, the Chiefs referred to starting a dialogue with local Native American leaders in 2014, adding that they "recently expanded our efforts through consultation with a national organization that works closely on issues affecting American Indian people and tribes."Those discussions led to the changes regarding headdresses and face paint.In addition to reviewing the "chop," the team said it is "exploring all options" to modify its pregame demonstration from the "drum deck," where traditionally a celebrity bangs the drum while fans all perform the "chop."The change comes as sports teams across the continent are making or considering changes to names and imagery that many view as racist or insensitive toward Native Americans.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill exited Thursday's practice with an apparent hamstring injury, multiple media outlets reported.Hill sustained the injury after reeling in a touchdown catch from Chad Henne during a one-on-one drill with cornerback Charvarius Ward. Hill was able to walk off the field under his own power, but did not return to practice.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hill missed four games last season because of injury. He recorded 58 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019.

Bashaud Breeland was informed of a four-game suspension that will keep the Kansas City Chiefs starting right cornerback out of the lineup until Oct. 11.Breeland will not be available against the Houston Texans (Sept. 10), at the Los Angeles Chargers (Sept. 20), at the Baltimore Ravens (Sept. 28) and when the New England Patriots visit Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 4.The Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 11.The cornerback position is a noted weakness on the roster for the Chiefs.In April, Breeland was arrested in South Carolina on five charges, including three related to alcohol or marijuana.The York County Sheriff's Office charged Breeland with resisting arrest, alcohol in a motor vehicle with the seal broken, an open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams or less of hash, and driving without a license.

The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs said Monday they intend on having fans at games at 22 percent of capacity inside Arrowhead Stadium when the 2020 season begins.The Chiefs are scheduled to play host to the NFL's first game in 2020, a Thursday night contest, Sept. 10 against the Houston Texans.The organization announced that its plan to have fans at games, in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, was made in conjunction with the NFL as well as Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas, along with input from the city's health director and EMS medical director.Single-game tickets for the first three home games will go on sale Aug. 24. Season tickets holders will be given first priority to purchase tickets in order of tenure.All tickets will be sold in grouped pods, with the ability to purchase as many as six tickets in the same pod. Fans can only attend with "known guests" sitting in their purchased pod. If any tickets remain after the sale to season-ticket holders, they will be made available to residents of Jackson County, where Arrowhead Stadium is located.

Travis Kelce put pen to paper Friday morning on a four-year extension with the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly worth $57 million.The Chiefs announced the deal with an accompanying photo of the All-Pro tight end signing the contract. The agreement comes on the heels of the San Francisco 49ers making George Kittle the highest-paid player at the position.Kittle signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the 49ers.Kelce had two years remaining on the five-year, $46 million contract he signed in January 2016.Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to social media to express his excitement about Kelce's deal, tweeting: "6 MORE YEARS!!!!!!!"

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Alex Brown revealed Saturday that he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.The injury occurred during Kansas City's practice on Friday."I will be back bigger, better, faster, and stronger," Brown wrote on Instagram. "With that being said my brothers still running it back."Brown played in three regular-season games with the Chiefs last season, seeing 24 of his 33 snaps on special teams.He also played solely on special teams during Kansas City's three-game postseason, which ended with a win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams said in an interview that he opted out of the 2020 NFL season because his mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer."With everything that's going on, she was the only one there for me," he told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I never had the opportunity to have my dad there. My mom is my rock, my everything, so during a hard time like this, I think I should be next to her every step."Williams, 28, said it was the right decision for his family."It was hard, I sat down and talked to everybody in my circle, my family and everybody close to me," Williams said. "My mom was just like, whatever's your decision, I'm behind you. It was hard. Football is my life and coming off a championship and wanting a repeat -- and I know they're going to handle that -- but at the end of the day, it was something personal I had to handle."Williams scored the final two touchdowns in the Chiefs' 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2. He put Kansas City ahead in the fourth quarter with a 5-yard touchdown reception before padding the lead with a 38-yard score.