Andy Reid's team is looking for a third Super Bowl title in five seasons. The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their 2023 preseason at New Orleans.
The Kansas City Chiefs have played on Super Sunday three of the past four seasons. On Sunday, Andy Reid's team took the field at the Superdome. The reigning NFL champions are looking to get back to the "Big Game" and become the first team since the 2003 and '04 Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes got the start against the Saints but he wasn't around look. However, there were a few other players who did enough to earn a little attention.
Chiefs who earned roster spot No. 3: QB Blaine Gabbert
The final numbers show that Shane Buechele, the third of the four quarterbacks to play for the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon at the Superdome, hit on 11 of his 18 throws for 155 yards and two scores, with one interception. However, he also served up an interception.
Meanwhile, well-traveled Blaine Gabbert was the first quarterback to get Andy Reid's team on the board vs. the Saints. He signed with Kansas City after backing up Tom Brady in Tampa the past three seasons. Against New Orleans, he completed 4-of-8 passes for 59 yards, one of those to a one-yard TD strike to fellow newcomer Richie James (more on him later).
Chiefs who earned roster spot No. 2: DT Danny Shelton
He was a big name back in 2015 when he was the 12th-overall pick in the draft that year. The Cleveland Browns opted for massive University of Washington interior defender Danny Shelton, listed at 6-2, 345 pounds these days. He spent three seasons with the Browns before being traded to the Patriots. He was with Bill Belichick's team for two years and earned a Super Bowl LIII ring in 2018.
Shelton made 12 starts with the Lions in 2020 and played in 13 games with the Giants a season later. He inked a deal with Kansas City in the summer of 2022, was released two weeks later and signed to the practice squad. The eight-year veteran wound up appearing in just one contest for Andy Reid's team (Week 16 vs. the Seahawks) and didn't record a tackle. He also didn't play in the postseason but wound up a Super Bowl champion.
On Sunday vs. New Orleans, Shelton had an assist late in the first quarter and sacked quarterback Jameis Winston for an 11-yard loss. With All-Pro Chris Jones still a holdout, having a proved veteran in the fold certainly doesn't hurt. He has made 72 starts in eight seasons and also has postseason experience.
Chiefs who earned roster spot No. 1: WR Richie James
Less than a year ago, Chiefs' general manager Brett Veach orchestrated a deal with the New York Giants and acquired wide receiver Kadarius Toney for a pair of 2023 draft choices. He played in seven regular-season games for Andy Reid's team and caught 14 passes, two for touchdowns. He played in all three postseason contests and caught a five-yard TD pass in the team's comeback win in Super Bowl LVII.
Veach and Andy Reid apparently liked what they saw out of Giants' wide receivers. They inked Richie James (who missed 2021 with a knee injury) to a one-year deal in April. In 2022, he tied for the team lead (with Saquon Barkley) with 57 catches, good for 569 yards and four scores. He also hauled in 11 passes for 82 yards in New York's playoff split with the Vikings and Eagles.
On Sunday vs. the Saints, James was targeted three times and caught two passes for 44 yards. There was a 43-yard grab from Blaine Gabbert as well as a one-yard TD catch.
It would probably be a surprise if James wasn't on the roster in September. Perhaps the bigger question is whether James will push Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and/or Skyy Moore for substantial playing time.
Chiefs cut candidate after Preseason Week 1: QB Chris Oladokun
As previously mentioned, the defending Super Bowl champions played four different quarterbacks against the Saints on Sunday afternoon. Patrick Mahomes, Blaine Gabbert, Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun combined to complete 55.0 percent of their passes (22-of-40) for 281 yards, three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
Oladokun was a seventh-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, he was released by the club last August and signed to Kansas City's practice squad. He re-upped with the Chiefs via a futures contract in mid-February. He would have his ups and downs against the Saints.
He entered the game with just over 12 minutes remaining and his first drive ended with points. He orchestrated a 13-play, 72-yard drive that resulted in a field goal and a 24-17 Chiefs' lead. Oladokun came up with the biggest play of the march with a 30-yard run.
The Chiefs were three-and-out on their next possession. The Saints scored a touchdown and trailed 24-23. Oladokun got the ball back with 1:13 to play. He fumbled the snap but still managed to hand it off to La'Mical Perine. Two plays later, this happened.
It would pave the way for a game-winning field goal for the Saints. Oladokun finished the game hitting on just five of his 12 throws for 52 yards. There was that 30-yard run but he was sacked once, bobbled a snap and threw that crucial interception.