Brownlee made a heck of a touchdown catch, the highlight of the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Cardinals in the preseason opener here in Arizona — and, ahem, most certainly the highlight of the 48 seconds Patrick Mahomes spent on the field. But there’s something far more telling about that play. The throw. Or, rather, the decision to throw it at all.

The Chiefs recovered a Greg Dortch fumble on the opening kickoff, and with a penalty tacked on, began their first drive at the Arizona 13. Isiah Pacheco went 8 yards on first down before Mahomes threw incomplete to Tyquan Thorton. Cardinals rookie cornerback Will Johnson, though, was cited for defensive pass interference.

Patrick Mahomes hits Jason Brownlee for a 1-yard TD as the Chiefs strike first vs. the Cardinals in the 2025 preseason opener.