Kansas City sports: Chiefs and Royals latest updates

The articles highlight recent milestones and choices for Kansas City’s top sports teams. They show how both the Chiefs and the Royals respond to on-field achievement, roster changes, and future planning.

Patrick Mahomes discussed the significance of AFC Championship rings and how he values Super Bowl rings differently. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco talked about recovering from injury and aiming to reach 1,000 rushing yards. Kareem Hunt, now with a full offseason, prepares to back up Pacheco after leading the Chiefs in rushing last season. On the Royals’ side, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez powered their team’s surge by hitting multiple home runs against the Cubs. The Royals must also decide whether to buy or sell players at the trade deadline, with pitcher Seth Lugo’s future central to those decisions. General manager J.J. Picollo considers playoff potential while dealing with trade rumors. These events and choices will shape Kansas City’s sports outlook in the coming months.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, celebrates a victory over the Cubs with third baseman Maikel Garcia on Monday, July 21, 2025 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. By Kamil Krzaczynski

NO. 1: SALVADOR PEREZ CONTINUES HIS RESURGENCE AS ROYALS PUMMEL CUBS AT WRIGLEY FIELD

Royals captain Salvador Perez is on a remarkable hot streak. | Published July 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hoists the Lamar Hunt Trophy on stage with tight end Travis Kelce after winning the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Dominick Williams

NO. 2: HERE’S A LOOK AT THE RINGS CHIEFS RECEIVED FOR WINNING AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

These rings will serve as special motivation this season for the Chiefs, who opened training camp Tuesday. | Published July 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez, left, and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino celebrate a Perez home run (Pasquantino homered twice, too) during KC’s win against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. By David Banks

NO. 3: ROYALS FLEX MUSCLE IN CRUSHING CUBS: THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM SERIES WIN AT WRIGLEY

The Royals won the series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field and knocked Chicago out of first place in the NL Central. | Published July 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) takes a handoff from quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during training camp at Missouri Western University on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in St. Joseph, Missouri. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 4: WHERE DOES A HEALTHY ISIAH PACHECO FIT INTO THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS’ BACKFIELD?

Isiah Pacheco returns as the Chiefs’ top running back. | Published July 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

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Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo speaks during a press conference at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Kansas City. By Nick Wagner

NO. 5: HERE’S WHAT ROYALS’ SETH LUGO, GM J.J. PICOLLO ARE SAYING ABOUT MLB TRADE DEADLINE

Royals GM J.J. Picollo was in Chicago for the Cubs series and talked to The Star about his thinking ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline. | Published July 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

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Kansas City Chiefs running backs Kareem Hunt (29) and Elijah Mitchell (25) walk towards the practice field on the first day of Chiefs training camp on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in St. Joseph. By Dominick Williams

NO. 6: HERE’S WHY CHIEFS RUNNING BACK KAREEM HUNT IS HAPPIEST CAMPER AT MISSOURI WESTERN

After missing most of past three training camps, Kareem Hunt is working with his teammates this time. | Published July 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo delivers a pitch during the first inning Sunday against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. By Denis Poroy

NO. 7: BUYERS OR SELLERS? THE ROYALS HAVE A DIFFICULT CHOICE TO MAKE AS DEADLINE NEARS

Here’s a look at where things stand on potential Royals trades as July 31 approaches. | Published July 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.