Andy Reid got a good look at where his team needs to improve ahead of a critical 2026 campaign.In a titan pre-season affair, The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 20-12.Andy Reid has plenty of work to do after their pre-season openerGettyThe loss marked their seventh straight in pre-season, and their seventh consecutive since the end of the 2025 regular season.However more importantly, for Reid, the beating by the Rams raised a very big concern.Chiefs offensive line struggles in loss to RamsThe offensive line’s performance remains a huge factor heading into 2026, and historically, it’s rarely been a strength.Patrick Mahomes was sacked a career-high 36 times in 2024 and it’s a mark that he would have surpassed had he remained healthy with 34 in 14 games in 2025.NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.SIGN UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.Mahomes went down with a torn ACL and LCL in Week 14, and his availability for Week 1 against the Denver Broncos remains undecided.Against the Rams, the first group of linemen executed without much trouble and undrafted free-agent rookie Kahlil Benson impressed starting in place of Trey Smith.Once the second and third-stringers entered, the performance deteriorated quickly. In total, the Chiefs were flagged 12 times for 83 yards, 10 of those coming against the offensive line.Discipline issues wiped out multiple gains, including a potential touchdown run by fifth-round rookie running back Emmett Johnson.The NFL’s highest-paid quarterback will need all the protection he can get, and this preseason opener offered a worrying sign that Mahomes could be in for a long year with a lack of depth behind the starters.The Chiefs offensive line was penalized 10 timesGettyThe three-time Super Bowl MVP will not be featuring in pre-season as he continues rehabbing from injuryGettyEmmet Johnson shines in NFL debutKansas City’s offense laboured for most of the game, all 12 of their points came from Harrison Butker kicks.The one silver lining however was running back Johnson, who led the team in rushing with 12 carries for 59 yards. He added three catches for 10 more yards out of the backfield.“He did a nice job. Ran hard and aggressively,” Reid said after the loss.“Some yards after contact there, which is a great thing. He’s one of the positives coming out of this.”The Chiefs added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III as production from that position has been hard to come by.Walker’s start as been tumultuous to say the least, clashing twice with his new teammates. Johnson proved he could be a valuable backup to Walker IIIGettyWhile Walker remains the undisputed RB1 and workhorse in Kansas City’s backfield, Johnson’s head-turning debut gave Reid and his staff a glimpse of much-needed depth. Johnson’s physical, mistake-free outing proves he can be a reliable rotational piece behind him as the Chiefs shape their backfield for the regular season.Fifth-round receiver Cyrus Allen has earned rave reviews in camp and carried his form into preseason with a highlight climbing grab as he looks to work his way into the rotation.