Patrick Mahomes isn’t even touching the field for Saturday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium, which means Chiefs fans are finally getting their first real look at Justin Fields under center. This isn’t just another backup; this dude’s got a chance to be the best understudy Mahomes has ever had, and he’s bringing a whole new dynamic to that offense.
Fields Is Ready To Run The Show, Literally
Fields is on his fourth team since getting drafted in 2021, and last year with the Jets, he started nine games. He piled up 1,259 passing yards and seven touchdowns, but here’s the kicker: he also rushed for 383 yards and four touchdowns. Sure, his record was 2-7, but with only one interception, you gotta blame that on how absolutely putrid the New York Jets were, not the guy behind center. Fields is a prolific runner, plain and simple, and he’s straight-up dangerous in the red zone with his legs. We gotta watch if the Chiefs’ offensive masterminds scheme him into using those wheels on Saturday, or if he just instinctively takes off when a play breaks down. Either way, it’s gonna be electric.
The Backfield Is A Straight-Up Cage Match
Look, we all know Kenneth Walker is the Chiefs’ main man in the backfield for the long haul. But holy smokes, the battle for those immediate backup spots is getting wild. Brashard Smith has been taking the most snaps with the second team in training camp, right? Except, then the unofficial depth chart drops this week, and Emari Demercado is ahead of him! And get this: rookie Emmet Johnson is *also* ahead of Smith. Smith is listed as the fourth back, man, the *fourth*!
This squad probably wants all three of these guys on the roster, and honestly, it makes sense. Their skill sets are totally different and they complement each other, giving Walker different looks behind him. Smith’s got that gadget element and special teams potential, Demercado’s pass blocking has been praised big time, and Johnson? He’s got the vision and shifty speed that could make him a direct backup for Walker down the line, maybe even a replacement one day. How those snaps and touches get handed out over the next three weeks is gonna paint a clear picture of what that running back room looks like in 2026. It’s gonna be a dogfight to watch!
Saturday’s kickoff is at 3:00 PM Arrowhead time, and it’s gonna be scorching hot. The starters won’t be out there long, if at all, which means we’re getting a deep dive into the guys battling for spots. This isn’t just a preseason game; it’s a critical look at the depth that’ll carry them through the long season. We gotta see what these guys are made of!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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