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Why Chiefs changed approach to final tuneup + college football kicks off | Podcast

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  • Chiefs shift strategy, starting key players in final preseason matchup
  • Andy Reid emphasizes readiness with Mahomes, Kelce, and Jones playing early
  • Kansas schools headline college football kickoff with international opener

Things are a little different as the Chiefs prepare for their third and final preseason game.

In most years, the reserves would get first-team snaps in practice. But this year, coach Andy Reid said he’ll play his starters — stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones — to open Friday’s game at home against the Chicago Bears.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the change and where the focus will be with the regular season opener two weeks away.

Also, college football season opens this weekend and Kansas schools are front and center. Kansas State will meet Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, in the traditional first game. Later that day, KU opens its renovated stadium with a game against Fresno State.

Will the Kansas schools play up to their roles as favorites?

This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM.

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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