The Kansas City Chiefs tied with the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason finale of the 2026 campaign with a 9-9 score. The countdown to Week 1 is on after an 0-2-1 record in exhibition games.
Running back Brashard Smith led the team with 72 rushing yards over 16 attempts, including a team-long rush of 13 yards. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier totaled 198 yards over 22 completions. Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong led all pass catchers with 54 yards over five receptions.
Defensive tackle Marcus Harris held
the game at a tie at the end with a few clutch tackles; he ended the game with a team-high six tackles. Defensive end R Mason Thomas had a strip sack, the only sack of the game for Kansas City.
First Quarter
The Chiefs opened the game with Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback and leaned heavily on Emmett Johnson to pick up an early first down. An 8-yard completion to Travis Kelce set up second-and-short, but a drop by Noah Gray followed by an incompletion brought out the punt team.
Kansas City’s defense started strong, with Mansoor Delane coming up from his cornerback position for a 4-yard tackle for loss. Two more stops followed as the Chiefs forced a quick three-and-out.
The Chiefs’ second possession started with a 12-yard run from Johnson followed by a 14-yard screen pass to the running back. After a short Emari Demercado run, Nussmeier connected with Tyquan Thornton for 11 yards. The drive ended on the next play when Nussmeier underthrew Xavier Worthy and was intercepted by Diggs.
Seattle immediately took advantage with a 40-yard completion from Jalen Milroe to Montorie. Foster followed by a 24-yard completion to Elijah. Arroyo. The Chiefs’ defense tightened up from there, making three consecutive stops to force a field goal and limit the Seahawks to a 3-0 lead.
Brashard Smith gave Kansas City excellent field position with a 57-yard kickoff return. Nussmeier opened the possession with a 20-yard completion to Armstrong before Johnson added 15 yards on three carries. A holding penalty eventually stalled the drive, forcing the Chiefs to settle for a field goal to tie the game 3-3.
Second Quarter
Seattle opened the second quarter with completions of 19 and 13 yards from Jalen Milroe before a holding penalty slowed the drive. On the following play, a backward pass resulted in a fumble that linebacker Cole Christiansen recovered at the Chiefs’ 36-yard line.
Kansas City turned the takeaway into points. A 17-yard completion from Nussmeier to Jared Wiley highlighted the possession before the Chiefs settled for a field goal to take a 6-3 lead.
The Seahawks picked up a quick first down on their next possession and benefited from a pass interference penalty, but R. Mason Thomas responded with a strip sack on first down that put Seattle behind the sticks. The Seahawks recovered the fumble but were eventually forced to punt.
Starting from their own 5-yard line late in the half, the Chiefs moved the ball out to the 48 behind some nice plays from Nussmeier and Emari Demercado. An intentional grounding penalty resulted in a 10-second runoff, ending the first half with Kansas City leading 6-3.
Third Quarter
The Seahawks received the ball to start the second half, but the Chiefs’ defense quickly forced a three-and-out.
Kansas City picked up two first downs on its opening possession behind a 12-yard run from Brashard Smith and a 12-yard reception by Cyrus Allen. The drive stalled from there, and Harrison Butker missed the field goal attempt wide right.
Following the missed field goal, Jalen Milroe moved the Seahawks quickly down the field for a touchdown, throwing for 67 yards on the drive. Jason Myers missed the extra point, leaving Seattle with a 9-6 lead.
The Chiefs picked up one first down on their next possession with another 12-yard run from Smith, but the drive stalled shortly afterward and Kansas City punted.
Seattle’s next possession was short-lived, as the Chiefs forced three consecutive incompletions and another punt.
Fourth Quarter
The Seahawks opened the fourth quarter but failed to pick up a first down as the Chiefs’ defense quickly forced another punt.
Kansas City was pushed behind the sticks by a first-down penalty and went three-and-out.
Seattle’s offense continued to struggle, moving backward on its next possession before another three-and-out.
The Chiefs picked up a first down on a nice completion to De Jesus, but an offensive pass interference penalty on the following play put the offense behind the sticks. Kansas City never recovered and was forced to punt.
Seattle took over at its own 20-yard line with a little over three minutes remaining. A 30-yard completion to Henderson and several short runs moved the Seahawks into field goal range, but Jason Myers missed a 52-yard attempt as time expired, ending the game in a 9-9 tie.
Special teams notes
Kicker Harrison Butker connected on three of his four field-goal attempts, hitting from 19, 24 and 28 yards while missing from 58 yards.
Jacob De Jesus averaged 9 yards on three punt returns, including a long of 20 yards, while Brashard Smith provided the biggest return of the night with a 50-yard kickoff return.
Punter Matt Araiza averaged 44 yards on four punts, with a long of 53 yards.
