Kansas
5 Kansas City Chiefs roster battles fans need to watch this summer
The Kansas City Chiefs’ work is never done, even with the first game not for many more months. While we wait for who they play in Week 1, the organization is readying for the dog days of summer where much of the roster takes shape.
If you pull up Kansas City’s depth chart on their team website, you will notice plenty of open spots in the starting roles. I mean, there is no point in updating the depth chart right now, but it is an ironic representation of how many jobs are up[ for grabs right now. Between departing free agents and underperformers, Chiefs Kingdom deserves to see some new blood in the starting 25.
Not all of these battles are for the top dog, but still important roles nonetheless. Let’s take a look at the five roster battles you need to watch this offseason.
Primary participants: Matt Araiza, Ryan Rehkow
The punting battle brewing in Kansas City is not your typical camp news—it promises to be an entertaining showdown. Chiefs Kingdom rejoiced when Veach added “Punt God” Matt Araiza to the roster, with his legal issues behind him. The Buffalo Bills released their 2022 sixth-round pick, who had been named their starting punter, following allegations from 2022, despite already having assigned him the role. With the lawsuits settled in December 2023, Araiza had a clear road back to the NFL.
Araiza’s collegiate resume is impressive, boasting achievements like being a unanimous All-American and clinching the 2021 Ray Guy Award for the nation’s top collegiate punter. But professional sports is all about what a player has done lately, and it will be nearly two years between Araiza’s preseason with Buffalo and his performance in St. Joseph. Camp competition is always good, but Veach brought in an insurance policy for Araiza in rookie Ryan Rehkow.
The BYU alum signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs after spending four years with the Cougars. He played in 50 games, landing on the Ray Guy Award watch list for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, he concluded the season as the Big 12’s top punter, maintaining an average of 48.4 yards per punt, a feat that also secured him the second position nationally. His 31 punts greater than 50 yards led the conference by a wide margin as well. Rehkow has a powerful leg, one that could rival the rusty Araiza.
Tommy Townsend became a first-team All-Pro after the Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent a few years ago. Townsend signed with the Houston Texans at the beginning of the season, which opened up a spot alongside Harrison Butker. Araiza and Rehkow both have booming legs, with their drawbacks. In any case, Kansas City boasts two exceptional punting options to kick off the summer.
The Minnesota Twins were defeated 3-1 by the Kansas City Royals, who used home runs by Kyle Isbel and Isaac Collins, two hitters not known for their power, on an unseasonably warm day in front of a sellout crowd of 39,320 in Kansas City’s home opener.
The temperature at first pitch on Monday was 85 degrees.
In the first game at Kauffman Stadium since the Royals moved in the fences 8 to 10 feet, all four runs scored on home runs. However, all three home runs also would have been out with the old dimensions.
Kris Bubic (1-0) picked up the win for Kansas City. He allowed one run on two hits in six innings. John Schreiber pitched the ninth for his first save.
Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1) took the loss for the Twins.
Both Woods Richardson and Bubic were effective, though neither was brilliant. Woods Richardson allowed just two runs but on five hits. Bubic walked three. Both starters allowed baserunners in all but one inning.
Bubic was the third straight Royals starter to pitch at least six innings with one or fewer runs allowed after Michael Wacha allowed no runs in 6 innings Saturday and Seth Lugo allowed no runs in 6 1/3 innings on Sunday.
Matt Wallner opened the scoring in the second inning for the Twins with a 424-foot home run that nearly reached the fountains in right-center.
The Royals answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning when Isbel’s homer landed in the Royals bullpen in right field. Isbel managed only four home runs in all of 2025.
Collins then extended the lead to 3-1 with a 400-foot blast into the Twins bullpen in the seventh. It was Collins’ first hit this season, having started the season 0-for-8.
Up next
After an off-day Tuesday, the Twins and Royals resume the three-game series Wednesday.
The Kansas City Royals host their 2026 home opener on Monday afternoon. They’ll be hosting the Minnesota Twins in an American League Central matchup.
Baseball returns to Kauffman Stadium for the first time in 2026 on Monday afternoon. That’s when the Kansas City Royals (1-2) will take the field for their home opener. Their first home game of the year is a divisional matchup, with an American League Central foe in the Minnesota Twins (1-2) coming to town for a three-game set. It was a very even series between these two teams last year, with the Royals winning seven games and the Twins winning six.
How to Watch Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Today:
Game Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Game Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: Minnesota Twins (NEW), FOX (KFJX – Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS)
Location: Kauffman Stadium
Live Stream the Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game: Start watching now!
The Royals get to return home on a high note, after picking up their first win of the season on Sunday. That was in the series finale with the Atlanta Braves, which saw them drop the first two games. Catcher Carter Jensen homered and drove in two runs in that 4-1 victory.
Minnesota was also on the road this weekend and won one of three games. The Twins took the middle game against the Baltimore Orioles to open the season. Third baseman Royce Lewis had a strong series, hitting the Twins’ only two home runs to this point.
What Time Is The Minnesota vs Kansas City Game On?
The Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game will take place on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Tune in to see the Royals’ home opener, the 54th at Kauffman Stadium.
What Channel Is The Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Game On?
All of the action in this game can be found on Minnesota Twins (NEW), FOX (KFJX – Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS). Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup, as well as numerous other sports leagues.
Live Stream the Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game: Start watching now!
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Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current
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