The preseason has started and training camp at Missouri Western is winding down. Did the Chiefs maximize their time in St. Joseph?

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Vahe Gregorian share their thoughts from KC’s preseason-opening loss to the L.A. Rams — and what must be accomplished in the second exhibition game.

The Chiefs visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.

After a break in this week’s episode, I’ll share what’s on my radar in Kansas City sports, including the impact of returning Royals and where Missouri football is getting some preseason love.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Patrick Mahomes is unlikely to play, and other starters might sit out the preseason opener. But there will be plenty to see and evaluate when the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Backup quarterbacks Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier figure to get the bulk of the snaps, at least early, and the performances among newcomers at running back and the defensive interior will be among the biggest curiosities.

Beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian share what’s on their checklists for Saturday on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Later, I’ll share what’s on my radar in Kansas City sports this week, including the Royals slugger who tied a team record and a television program that wrapped its loving arms around Kansas City sports in its season debut.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Chiefs training camp doesn’t really begin until the pads come on. It’s the first time to evaluate linemen and most defensive players. So who’s looking good?

Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down what they’ve seen at camp on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Tackle Josh Simmons and rookie defensive lineman Peter Woods have made solid early impressions, but injuries to receivers Xavier Worthy and Cyrus Allen have put a damper on things.

Also, the baseball trade deadline has come and gone. How did the Royals do? Stick around and I’ll tell you what’s on my radar in Kansas City sports.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

This week’s most important local sports story came out of training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, where the team announced that quarterback Patrick Mahomes — just seven months removed from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee — was fully cleared for the start of training camp.

Although most of the eyes will be on Mahomes’ recovery, there are several other subplots worth watching, such as the status of Rashee Rice, the development of Mansoor Delane and who wins out at the right tackle position.

With Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson now in Los Angeles and Bryan Cook now in Cincinnati, how will the Chiefs manage their new-look secondary?

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Star columnist Sam McDowell joins Pete Sweeney to discuss all this and more.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Preparations for Chiefs season No. 67 begin Friday as training camp opens in St. Joseph. Quarterbacks, rookies and a few others will have Missouri Western to themselves for a few days before the full squad reports the following week.

This camp will have a different feel than any in several years with the Chiefs coming off their worst season, a 6-11 record, in the Andy Reid era.

How the Chiefs will remedy the problems that ended their 10-year playoff run — including three Super Bowl victories — begins later this week.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), beat writer Pete Sweeney offers his ideas on the Chiefs and answers the most pressing questions entering the 2026 season.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

The FIFA World Cup and its games, Fan Fest, watch parties and celebrations have departed Kansas City. And all that remains is the cleanup.

How did Kansas City do, and was it worth the cost? By many accounts the world’s biggest sporting event played in the smallest U.S. World Cup market unfolded as planned, and the national reviews have been positive.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell offer their evaluation of Kansas City’s month in the international spotlight, discussing the moments of triumph and mistakes along the way.

How does Kansas City’s performance affect our odds when future sporting events come up for bids?

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Ouch. The U.S. team’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup occurred in ugly fashion — and sooner than many had hoped.

The U.S. team’s Round of 16 loss to Belgium in Seattle on Monday, by a 4-1 score, means the American team failed to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Star columnist Vahe Gregorian discusses the disappointment of the lopsided loss and what it means for the U.S. program going forward.

Also, was the U.S. affected by FIFA’s sudden reinstatement of forward Flo Balogun, who received a red card in the previous game but was allowed to play against Belgium after some maneuvering by President Trump?

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing out the best of Kansas City ... or is it the other away around?

The massive global soccer tournament’s group-stage games at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium provided incredible drama, all the way down to the final goal. The Netherlands’ “Oranje FanWalk” captivated the city and Arrowhead was painted in different hues for each match.

Now, it’s on to the knockout-round games. Kansas City plays host to two, a Round of 32 contest on Friday and a quarterfinal after that.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), soccer correspondent Daniel Sperry shares his thoughts on what’s happened here in the tournament thus far, and what could on the horizon.

One thing we know for certain: Friday’s next match in Kansas City pits Colombia vs. Ghana. It’s the last Round of 32 match and should come with the same intensity as previous games here, with the added pressure of elimination for the loser.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.