Aug 30, 2026, 11:30 AM CUT
After reps against Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs CB rejects 'room for weakness'
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills Nov 2, 2025 Orchard Park, New York, USA Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 15 walks the sideline before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Orchard Park Highmark Stadium New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxKoneznyx 20251102_kdn_bk3_342
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills Nov 2, 2025 Orchard Park, New York, USA Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 15 walks the sideline before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Orchard Park Highmark Stadium New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxKoneznyx 20251102_kdn_bk3_342
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane isn't getting much room to ease into life in the NFL. And he knows that he can't afford to switch off when he's going against quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs traded up to No. 6 in the 2026 NFL Draft to select the cornerback, and the rookie is already getting valuable work against Mahomes in practice.
“I gotta be great, little room for error, if I have any room for weakness, he’s going to point it out," Delane said, per Sleeper Chiefs' X post.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos Nov 16, 2025 Denver, Colorado, USA Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 15 before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver Empower Field at Mile High Colorado USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 20251116_ajw_ac4_142
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos Nov 16, 2025 Denver, Colorado, USA Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 15 before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver Empower Field at Mile High Colorado USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 20251116_ajw_ac4_142
Mahomes' arm strength, ability to anticipate throws, and knack for creating plays can punish a defensive back who gets his positioning wrong.
"Just being on my toes, it makes me a better player on Sundays,” Sleeper Chiefs posted on X on August 29.
Delane will be entering Steve Spagnuolo's defense after showing coverage instincts, physicality, and versatility during his college career, according to TWSN.
Kansas City moved up for Delane with that expectation in mind. The team is looking to rebound from a 6-11 record during the 2025 season that kept it out of the playoffs.
Mahomes is also working his way back from the ACL and LCL injuries that ended his 2025 season.
As he prepares for the new campaign, his practices with Delane are giving the rookie a chance to learn from one of the toughest quarterbacks he'll see.
After getting tested by Mahomes in practice, Delane didn't have to wait long to show what those reps could mean on game day.
Mansoor Delane makes early Chiefs impact
Kansas City's No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft made his presence felt against the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium, bringing down a Seattle ball carrier for a loss on the opening possession.
The play came early in the first quarter and helped the Chiefs slow down Seattle's starters right away.
"Five's on it," the Kansas City Chiefs official X account posted on X on August 29.
Delane is expected to have a big role in Kansas City's revamped secondary this season. The Chiefs moved up to No. 6 to select the former LSU defensive back, so there is already plenty of attention on what he can bring as a rookie.
The Chiefs are coming off a 6-11 season and missed the playoffs last year, adding even more importance to the changes they've made on defense, according to Chiefs Wire.
For Delane, though, the preseason is about getting comfortable and showing what he can do. His early play against Seattle gave Kansas City a glimpse of that.
Written by
Debanjali Rakshit
Edited by
Arundhoti Palit