But openers don’t always go as planned. Last season, when the Chiefs played their preseason opener at Jacksonville, Patrick Mahomes played the first series, leading the Chiefs to a field goal. Backup Carson Wentz entered the game for the second series, in the first quarter. Before halftime, then-third team quarterback Chris Oladokun led a drive.

Kansas City’s quarterback and leader is pushing his peers right from the jump. Plus, the team’s depth appears to be in much better shape than last year.