Here are four overarching thoughts on the Chiefs’ very first preseason game of 2023.

The 2023 NFL preseason is in full swing, and the Kansas City Chiefs got their schedule rolling when they squared off against the New Orleans Saints on the road.

A 17-0 deficit in the first half was where Andy Reid’s team found themselves, but they stormed back to eventually grab the lead near the conclusion of the third quarter. A late New Orleans touchdown made the game exciting and brought it within one point, but a botched two-point attempt due to a penalty kept the Chiefs’ lead… for now.

With 58 seconds left, quarterback Chris Oladokun’s interception gave New Orleans a chance to win. The Saints sent the Chiefs home in stunning fashion after a Blake Grupe field goal went through the uprights. This preseason, Kansas City is 0-1 thus far.

Here are four takeaways from Sunday’s game.

1. It’s too early to overreact to first-team performances

Let’s be frank here: Kansas City’s first-team offense looked poor in the first quarter of preseason Week 1. Aside from a Patrick Mahomes scramble on third down and a nice connection with running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the long drive with Mahomes on the field saw minimal production. To top things off, the fourth down sneak with tight end Blake Bell was a failed play that seems to be growing less and less effective when used. While the Chiefs didn’t cap off their initial possession with a score, though, there’s nothing to worry about. Any concern is mostly unwarranted given the track record of this group.

Defensively, the Chiefs struggled to tackle and weren’t generating much of a pass rush without defensive tackle Chris Jones in the fold. Linebacker Nick Bolton and safety Justin Reid stood out, but for the wrong reasons. Coverage was lackluster and both Derek Carr and Jameis Winston marched the Saints up and down the field with ease. Again, however, the nature of vanilla game plans and a slow start during a preseason game shouldn’t lead to anyone hitting the panic button. The Chiefs’ lowly output from their first-teamers on both sides of the ball is worth mentioning, although that should be the extent of it.

2. Multiple wide receivers left their marks on the game

Wide receiver has been the position on the Chiefs depth chart that has generated the most controversy recently. On Sunday, many different players made standout plays. Richie James, a seasoned player, had a great second quarter, making two gorgeous catches and scoring a touchdown. Justyn Ross ran precise routes all afternoon and made his first appearance in the end zone since college. Candidates for the practice squad Cornell Powell and Kekoa Crawford demonstrated their skills by making good receptions from Shane Buechele. The wideout depth of Kansas City was on full display.

Nikko Remigio was the Chiefs’ most remarkable understated player who had a significant influence. The Fresno State undrafted free agency acquisition has been a highlight in training camp, and he converted it into an outstanding second half in his first preseason appearance. He made another stride towards solidifying himself as a strong practice squad contender by recording four catches for 71 yards. Remigio remained a constant in a game with many moving parts.

3. Checking in on the progress of Brett Veach’s first three 2023 draft picks

The preseason is the ideal time for rookies to experience NFL action, and several players from the Chiefs’ 2023 draft class stood out. Starting at the top, first-round choice Felix Anudike-Uzomah made several successful pass-rush attempts but also encountered several failures and continued to dominate the pass-rush with his lower body. In the first half, second-round pick Rashee Rice showed off his maturity and burst, and his only negative play was a dropped pass. His participation was a gain for Kansas City’s aerial assault.

Third-round pick Wanya Morris, who completes the top 100 selections from April, saw action at both tackle positions and took Lucas Niang’s place early in the game when rotations started. His adaptability was put to the test again after being pushed during OTAs and camp. These three players will be the focus of the Chiefs’ draft class for the upcoming season, and on Sunday, they all gave their respective campaigns strong starts.

4. Thoughts on others who stood out

The Chiefs’ first preseason game saw a number of roster players rise to the top for small periods of time, but it is impossible to compile a complete list of those that contributed. Undrafted free agency cornerback Kahlef Hailassie made a pick and demonstrated strong tackling, while teammate UDFA Ekow Boye-Doe received extensive defensive playing time and second-year linebacker Leo Chenal showed good run support early on. Danny Shelton, a defensive tackle, appeared to be in good condition and recorded a sack. Buechele had a few standout plays in the third quarter to partially redeem himself after a difficult first half.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. As expected, it was a true full-team effort from Kansas City to begin the preseason. As the final roster comes into clearer focus and the level of competition heats up, that likely isn’t going to change.