Week 1 Drum Honoree: Alex Smith
One of the enduring traditions at Arrowhead Stadium is honoring a former Chiefs player with a drumbeat just before kickoff. For Week 1 against Denver, the honor goes to Alex Smith, who started for the Chiefs from 2013 to 2017.
Smith’s impact in Kansas City
The first major move of the Reid era was acquiring Alex Smith in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. Smith brought stability to an offense that had struggled in prior years. During his five seasons with the Chiefs, he earned three Pro Bowl selections. He posted a 50-26 record as the starting quarterback, threw for 17,608 yards and 102 touchdowns, and registered a 94.8 passer rating in 76 starts. His passer rating of 104.7 in 2017 was the highest in the NFL that season. After that year, Kansas City traded Smith to Washington as the team committed to the rise of Patrick Mahomes as the new franchise quarterback.
Chiefs vs. Broncos: Week 1 expectations
Defeating Denver on Monday night will be a formidable challenge. The Broncos emerged as one of the league’s top teams last season, finishing 14-3 and advancing to the AFC Championship Game, where they were defeated by New England. Denver did not lose many key pieces in the offseason and added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who will test the Chiefs’ young cornerback group led by rookie Mansoor Delane and second-year player Nohl Williams. Kansas City strengthened its defensive line with first-year contributors Peter Woods and Mason Thomas.
Key players and lineup notes
– Patrick Mahomes is expected to start, returning from the knee injury that sidelined him last season. He’ll rely on a new running back, Kenneth Walker III, who earned the Super Bowl MVP honors in the previous season.
– The Chiefs may be without left tackle Josh Simmons due to a back injury, impacting the starting protection.
Outlook
The Week 1 matchup promises an exciting showcase with prime-time energy, a strong home-field advantage, and a test against a well-rounded Broncos squad. If Kansas City can establish its offense early and generate pressure on Denver, they’ll set a positive tone for the season ahead.
Note: All facts reflect the anticipated Week 1 events and roster considerations for the 2026 season.
