Chiefs offense might not miss a beat this season

Two games into the preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs' offense looks as good as ever with QB Patrick Mahomes.

In the offseason, the Chiefs traded All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill after failing to come to terms on a new contract. Kansas City sent Hill to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks, one of which they turned into wide receiver Skyy Moore.

But without Hill, it appears the Chiefs will be just fine. It all starts with Mahomes.

In a news conference leading up to the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Mahomes said he wanted to play because he wanted to knock off rust.

"I like to get in there and get hit one time," Mahomes said, per CBSsports.com. "Once you get hit one time and kind of see what it is to get hit again as a quarterback, you’re kind of good to go.'' So far, he looks comfortable.

In three drives this season, Mahomes is 18-for-26 for 222 yards with three passing touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks. That is far better than any preseason before 2022.

Mahomes' QBR in the past three preseasons are 103.5, 125.5 and 93.9. This year: 133.8.

In 2019, the year Kansas City won the Super Bowl, Mahomes had a preseason-high completion percentage of 73.7. The year before, the star quarterback's first season as a starter, he had an interception and a sack. Last preseason, a year that got off to a rocky start, Mahomes tossed an interception and had his lowest QBR of the practice games. The 2020 preseason was canceled.

Take preseason games for what they are — some players don't even participate — but coach Andy Reid likes to get his team their repetitions. 

Mahomes, the former No. 10 overall pick, has a tight connection down with newcomer Justin Watson, a wide receiver, and backup tight end Jody Fortson, who is coming off a season-ending injury.

Watson led the Chiefs in receiving yards in both preseason games, and Fortson caught two TD passes from Mahomes on Saturday against Washington. It's great to see Mahomes get the cohesion down with guys the team may depend on to fill thet void left by Hill. It's equally as beneficial even if the connection isn't there yet.

In the opening drive against the Commanders, Mahomes missed Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a pass downfield that could have been a touchdown. Mahomes threw over his receiver's head for an incompletion. Valdes-Scantling finished his route instead of cutting downfield where there was no defender. This was pointed out on the Chiefs' broadcast by former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green.

Mahomes took the blame for the missed opportunity, but getting that familiarity down is key between the two players. Green said Valdes-Scantling, the former Packer, will know now that if it is open down field, Mahomes would like him to cut out of his route.

These are all good signs for the Chiefs. When you also pair a top-five offensive line with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce, things should run smoothly in 2022.