Patrick Mahomes shines despite Chiefs' loss to Bears in preseason finale

In a thrilling preseason finale held in Kansas City, Missouri, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs showcased an impressive performance against the Chicago Bears. On August 25, 2025, Mahomes completed eight passes out of thirteen attempts for 143 yards, contributing a touchdown in just over a quarter of play. Despite the Chiefs' strong offensive showing, the Bears managed to rally back and clinch a 29-27 victory. This game marked a stark contrast to the Chiefs' previous preseason struggles against the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, where they faced significant challenges on both the offensive and defensive fronts. The Bears, who had previously dominated the Buffalo Bills in a 38-0 victory, found the Chiefs' defense more formidable. In the first half, the Chiefs established a towering lead, forcing the Bears' first-team offense to punt on their first two possessions. However, as the game progressed, the Bears adjusted to the Chiefs' strategy. Quarterback Caleb Williams connected with receiver Rome Odunze for a touchdown late in the second quarter, narrowing the score to 20-10 at halftime. Williams ended the game with a completion rate of over 73% and a touchdown, demonstrating the depth in the Bears' roster. In the latter half of the game, Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent took over the reins after Williams, showcasing his potential with a go-ahead throw to Jahdae Walker just three seconds before the final whistle blew, sealing the Bears' comeback victory. The Bears were not without their challenges, facing injury concerns with key players in their backfield which led to a noticeable depletion in their running game, forcing the coaches to rethink their offensive strategies going forward. As the Bears prepare for their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8, the coaching staff is taking time to reflect on the lessons learned from this preseason finale. Even with a final victory against the Chiefs, Coach Ben Johnson noted a need for improvement as he expressed disappointment in the overall team performance. His sentiments echoed through the locker room, with safety Kevin Byard emphasizing the lesson taken from the game as an eye-opener for the players. Looking ahead, the Bears aim to enhance their performance on the field as they gear up for the start of the regular season while working on solidifying their roster during the ongoing cuts around the league.