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A New Preseason Hero is Born in Kansas City

Posted August 19, 2025

The preseason used to be mundane. Before, you’d just check the paper to see if anything of note happened, hoped for no injuries, and moved on. With the trimmed schedule, staffs lean harder into August reps to sharpen live timing for September. Kansas City has no interest in drifting into the regular season with rust.

Naturally, when the starters hit the bench, down-roster players get to shine and make their roster cases. Last August, Chiefs fans latched onto a couple of fringe names who flashed in limited snaps. This year, it’s an undrafted rookie wideout turning heads at Arrowhead: Jalen Royals.


CHIEFS ROOKIE IS PUTTING ON A SHOW 🔥
TD grabs on back-to-back drives for the @Chiefs!

Jalen Royals Makes a Name for Himself as a Preseason Hero
Taking the Long Way

Nothing was easy for Royals. Coming out of high school without the star ratings or big offers, he bounced between low-profile programs, earning his snaps the slow way—special teams, scout-team grind, and late-night route work. The stat lines never told the full story, but the tape did: clean releases, late hands, and the kind of body control that makes back-shoulder throws look inevitable. He went undrafted in 2025, signed a camp deal with Kansas City, and walked into a crowded receiver room with nothing guaranteed but the chance to compete.

Showing Out on Monday Night

In the opener, Royals turned his only target into a chain-mover. Heading into the second preseason game, his name barely cracked 53-man projections. Then, he stole the show.

On Monday night, with the second and third units on the field, Royals found rhythm with the backup quarterback. In a 14–14 game, he snagged a 12-yard out on his first series. Next drive: a 23-yard conversion on a scramble drill, followed by a tough 4-yard snag through contact. To cap the march, Royals walled off the corner on a back-shoulder ball—his first touchdown of the preseason.

The defense flipped possession, and the Chiefs attacked immediately. First play: Royals high-pointed a fade at the back line, mossing the defender for his second score of the night. When the dust settled, the rookie finished with 5 receptions on 6 targets for 73 yards and 2 TDs—the kind of August tape that forces a meeting-room conversation.

Around the building, veterans praised the way he practices—on time, on detail, and unbothered by the depth chart. If preseason is a doorway, Royals is wedging his foot in it.

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Chiefs Locker Room Erupts, Chris Jones Under Investigation for NFL Sports Betting in Jaguars Game - HC Andy Reid Hands Down Harsh Punishment
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Chiefs' locker room is in turmoil following an NFL investigation into defensive star Chris Jones over allegations related to sports betting. Jones, a multiple-time Pro Bowler, has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through Week 10, while head coach (HC) Andy Reid has imposed internal penalties after a suspicious performance in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. SOURCE: https://x.com/TheNFLDrop/status/1975574483990909165 The incident stems from a decisive play at the end of the game, where Jones – the Chiefs' top defensive tackle – appeared to "do absolutely nothing" to stop quarterback Trevor Lawrence from scoring the game-winning touchdown. According to sources, this lack of effort prompted the NFL to launch an investigation, suspecting possible involvement in betting, a serious violation of league rules. "He just stood there watching Lawrence run into the end zone like he was watching a movie," an anonymous teammate shared, reflecting the outrage in the locker room. Jones, 31, has been a cornerstone for the Chiefs since being selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft from Mississippi State. With an impressive career including 3 Pro Bowls, 2 Super Bowl wins, and 75.5 sacks, he signed a 5-year, $158 million contract in 2023. However, this season, Jones has only recorded 2 sacks through 5 games, and his performance against the Jaguars has drawn sharp criticism from Chiefs fans on social media. HC Andy Reid reacted strongly, penalizing Jones by sidelining him from practices and requiring an internal explanation. "We do not tolerate any behavior that harms the team or undermines the integrity of the game," Reid stated post-game. "Our organization prides itself on discipline and trust, and while we await the results of the NFL's investigation, we'll handle this internally to ensure it doesn't distract from our goals. Chris is a talented player, but no one is above the standards we set here in Kansas City." Meanwhile, the Chiefs' locker room is described as "explosive" with arguments, as some players like Patrick Mahomes express disappointment but still offer support for their teammate. The NFL investigation is expected to continue, and if violations are proven, Jones could face a long-term suspension. The Chiefs, currently at 2-3, must quickly stabilize their roster ahead of their next matchup. Fans are watching closely, with many calling this potentially the "biggest scandal of the season."