Chiefs Lose Preseason Opener to Jaguars, 26-13

For the first time since the final seconds of their victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs returned to the field for their 2024 preseason opener on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Though quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the starters saw action in the first quarter, the Chiefs predominantly deployed their reserves in an eventual 26-13 loss to the Jags at EverBank Stadium.

Mahomes, playing in only the Chiefs’ opening series, completed 3-of-4 for 27 yards. Reserve Chris Oladokun led Kansas City with 85 yards passing while completing 7-of-10 passes.

Kicker Harrison Butker — who has recently become known more for his socio-political views than his prowess on the field — connected on two field goals for the Chiefs. His Jacksonville counterpart Chris Little made three, with his longest coming from 47 yards.

The Chiefs struck first on a seven-play, 43-yard drive which resulted in a 45-yard field goal by Butker, giving Kansas City a 3-0 lead.

However, the series — which featured several of the Chiefs’ starters — came at a price.

Chiefs receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown came down awkwardly on his shoulder after an 11-yard catch on the first play Kansas City’s opening program. Brown has been ruled out for the remainder of the game. His status will be worth monitoring in the coming days.

Jacksonville dominated the subsequent scoring series, as receiver/returner Parker Washington returned Butker’s kickoff 73 yards to the Chiefs’ 20-yard line. Two plays later, Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence found running back Trevor Etienne on a short left route out of the shotgun for a nine-yard touchdown. After Little connected on the extra point, Jacksonville took a 7-3 lead.

Kansas City reached the end zone next when reserve quarterback Chris Oladokun led the team 82 yards on 16 plays, complemented by the savvy rushing of running back Chris Steele. Though the scoring play was initially placed under review, Steele was deemed to have crossed the plane for the one-yard touchdown run.

Still, the home team had one more exciting drive left before the half concluded. Traveling 80 yards on five plays, Beathard connected with receiver Devin Duvernay on a 35-yard scoring strike. Running back D’Ernest Johnson earned the two-point conversion as Jacksonville took an 18-10 lead over the defending champions.

The Jaguars added two additional points when Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman was tackled in the end zone. The safety gave the Jags a 20-10 lead. Kansas City’s halftime deficit was nearly extended to 13 points, when Little missed a 62-yard attempt as time drained from the clock.

Related: Are Chiefs ‘Electric’ If Hollywood Brown is Injured?

Little’s aforementioned 47-yarder in the third quarter, along with his 31-yard connection in the fourth quarter were Jacksonville’s only points in the second half.

The Chiefs will return home to Arrowhead Stadium for their second preseason tilt on Saturday, Aug. 17 to host the Detroit Lions.