The Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks wrapped up their 2026 NFL preseason campaigns in dramatic, if not entirely satisfying, fashion on Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium. The preseason finale ended in a 9-9 tie, leaving both teams with a 0-2-1 record as they shift focus to the regular season. While the scoreboard might not have provided fireworks, the contest brimmed with storylines, roster intrigue, and standout performances from both established names and hungry hopefuls looking to secure their NFL futures.
From the opening whistle, it was clear this game would be a proving ground for the Chiefs’ second and third-string players. With stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce mostly riding the bench, the spotlight turned to rookies and fringe roster candidates. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the seventh-round pick who’s turned more than a few heads this summer, got the start under center. He wasted little time showing poise, connecting with Kelce for an 8-yard gain on the opening drive—Kelce’s first catch of the preseason, much to the delight of the Arrowhead crowd.
But it was running back Emmett Johnson who provided the early spark. Johnson, a rookie looking to carve out a role in a crowded backfield, picked up a pair of first downs on the Chiefs’ first two series. He finished the night with 39 yards on seven carries, averaging a robust 5.6 yards per attempt, and caught both his targets out of the backfield. According to Chiefs.com, "Johnson is going to produce meaningful yards for a long time to come." That’s high praise for a player who joined the team in the most recent draft and has already made his mark.
After a defensive stand that included a four-yard tackle for loss by cornerback Mansoor Delane, Kansas City’s offense continued to move the ball with a mix of short passes and timely runs. Nussmeier, who threw for 198 yards on 22 completions, showed flashes of why he’s being considered for the backup job behind Mahomes. However, the rookie’s night wasn’t without blemishes. A first-quarter interception by Seattle’s Trevon Diggs set up the Seahawks’ first points—a 46-yard field goal by veteran Jason Myers.
The Chiefs answered immediately, thanks in large part to Brashard Smith’s electrifying 57-yard kickoff return. Smith, who led the team with 72 rushing yards on 16 carries, continued to make his case as a versatile weapon. His effort in the ground game and special teams was hard to ignore. As one local analyst put it, "Smith turned in the sort of effort that dares his team not to retain him."
Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong, another name on the roster bubble, also made a strong impression. Armstrong hauled in five passes for a team-high 54 yards, showcasing reliable hands, sharp routes, and physicality after the catch. Armstrong’s consistency throughout the preseason could make him a surprise addition to the Chiefs’ 53-man roster. "Armstrong has been a real find this offseason," a team insider noted. "The Chiefs would be silly to keep someone like Nikko Remigio over Armstrong at this point."
Special teams played a pivotal role in the seesaw affair. Kicker Harrison Butker was called upon early and often, connecting on field goals from 19, 24, and 28 yards. He did miss a 58-yard attempt in the third quarter, but his clutch 28-yarder in the fourth tied the game at 9-9. On the other side, Seattle’s Jason Myers missed both an extra point and a potential game-winning 52-yard field goal as time expired—mistakes that proved costly for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
The Chiefs’ defense, though missing several starters, held its own against a Seahawks offense led by quarterback Jalen Milroe. Defensive end R Mason Thomas provided one of the game’s biggest highlights, notching a strip sack in the second quarter. Thomas, whose elite burst and bend have been turning heads all preseason, is expected to be a difference-maker when the games start to count. "It feels like a given that he will make one or two game-changing plays for K.C. this year," a defensive coach remarked.
Defensive tackle Marcus Harris, a journeyman fighting for a roster spot, delivered clutch tackles down the stretch and ended the night with a team-high six stops. Harris’s ability to step up in crucial moments could help him secure a role, especially while Omarr Norman-Lott recovers from injury. "Harris looked like the ideal fill-in," observed one Chiefs beat writer.
Elsewhere on the field, tight end Tre Watson provided a viral moment by hurdling over a Seahawks defender after catching a pass—a play that drew roars from the Arrowhead faithful and showcased the athleticism deep in the Chiefs’ tight end room.
For every winner, there’s a player who saw his stock tumble. Nikko Remigio, primarily a return specialist, failed to make a significant impact and may have lost ground to the more dynamic Smith. Meanwhile, Melvin Smith Jr., a fringe roster player, suffered a rib injury that forced him out of the game, limiting his chances to impress the coaching staff and potentially affecting his NFL future.
The Seahawks, for their part, saw flashes from quarterback Jalen Milroe, who threw a third-quarter touchdown to tight end Nick Vannett. However, the missed extra point and late-game field goal doomed Seattle to a tie. Both teams’ defenses tightened up in the fourth quarter, trading punts and stifling drives until the final whistle.
Fans tuning in on KSHB 41 or listening on the Chiefs Radio Network heard announcers Ari Wolfe and Trent Green break down the action, noting the high stakes for players vying to make the final roster. With the regular season looming, Friday’s game served as a last audition for those on the bubble. Rookies like Emmett Johnson and Brashard Smith, as well as veterans like Marcus Harris, made the most of their opportunities, while others now await the difficult decisions to come.
Ultimately, the 9-9 tie may not have provided a definitive answer on the Chiefs’ or Seahawks’ readiness for the 2026 campaign, but it certainly gave coaches plenty to ponder. As the countdown to Week 1 begins, Kansas City fans can take heart in the emergence of promising young talent and the resilience shown by the team’s depth. The Chiefs now turn their attention to final roster cuts, knowing that the lessons—and highlights—from this preseason finale will shape the team’s identity heading into the games that matter most.