Andy Reid Won’t Ignore Chiefs’ Preseason Struggles After Another Blown Lead

Andy Reid isn't thrilled after the Chiefs blew another preseason lead against the Buccaneers.

Aug 15, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; KKansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the pre season at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Had yesterday's preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers been a regular season game, it would have been one of the more heartbreaking defeats the Chiefs have suffered in recent years. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the second half, largely due to an erratic performance from veteran kicker Harrison Butker.

Most NFL fans agree that winning preseason games doesn't determine how teams perform when the actual season comes around. However, fans might be surprised to learn that the Chiefs now haven't won a preseason game in 1,093 days.

The last time K.C. came out on top in an exhibition was in August 2023, when they defeated the Cleveland Browns 33-32 in a thriller at Arrowhead Stadium. Since then, the Chiefs have appeared in two Super Bowls and won one, but haven't been on the winning end of a preseason matchup.

To some, this is a quirky stat that means nothing in the long run. But to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, there is a tiny level of concern knowing that the team hasn't been able to get it done in eight consecutive tries, even if it's mostly the second and third teams getting the majority of the reps.

"Listen, it's America. You want to win everything you do," Reid said about preseason games. "That's how it goes. So, to say you don't want to win, these guys want to do that. We just got to eliminate some of these mistakes, but again, you're doing that and trying to evaluate everybody at the same time."

There is a level of attention to detail that NFL players must have, regardless of whether they're playing with the starters or backups. Reid's frustration is not surprising given the unusual string of losses K.C. has suffered in the preseason.

In each of Kansas City's two preseason games this year, the Chiefs led going into the fourth quarter yet were unable to hold off the opposing team's offense. Everyone will probably forget about this stat going into the Week 1 opener against the Broncos, and there's still an opportunity for them to break the streak next Saturday against the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks.

One thing is for certain is that the Chiefs' coaches will be ripping their players a new one following yesterday's effort that caused them to blow the lead.

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