SportsBeat KC

The Chiefs remain one of three NFL teams with a perfect record, but the schedule is turning rugged starting with this Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks. A feature of this meeting: Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III is the league’s rushing leader, and he was named Super Bowl MVP for Seattle last season.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3), Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down how KC will navigate the rough waters ahead.

After a break, broadcaster Fran Franschilla discusses his new book, “Don’t Mess with Happy.” Fraschilla has been calling Big 12 basketball for a quarter-century and knows the conference landscape as well as anybody. From Norm Stewart to Bill Self, Franschilla has plenty of stories about his life in the Big 12.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Seth Jahraus, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.   

The Chiefs had a bye week to catch their breath, iron out problems and get injured players healed, and did so as one of three undefeated teams in the NFL.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Vahe Gregorian identify the team’s biggest needs and look ahead to Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

It’s a big week in college football. The 124th Sunflower Showdown will kick off in Manhattan, where Kansas State plays host to Kansas. Beat writer Kellis Robinett breaks down this game and wonders if this is the year K-State’s winning streak in the series — a remarkable 17 games — comes to an end.

Plus, No. 13 Missouri steps into the national spotlight in its game at No. 9 Ole Miss. The game comes with this added attraction: Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons started last season as Mississippi’s starter before getting injured and losing his job to current Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Seth Jahraus, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

After four weeks of the NFL season, the Chiefs are one of three teams to stand 4-0, but remaining undefeated wasn’t easy ... and it was costly from an injury standpoint.

The Chiefs outlasted the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27, but lost wide receivers Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice during the game. Thornton’s ankle injury is more serious than Rice’s hamstring strain and Thornton is likely to miss the rest of the regular season.

How does this affect the Chiefs, and do they sign a free agent, like former Chiefs star Tyreek Hill? Beat writer Pete Sweeney is here to discuss all the options on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Also on the show, Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane sits down for an exclusive interview to describe his transition from college to the pro ranks.

And you’ll hear from Royals majority owner John Sherman on the different experience fans will have getting to a new ballpark at Crown Center.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Seth Jahraus, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

The Chiefs didn’t win many style points, but they won the game.

A 24-10 triumph in the first road game, at the Miami Dolphins, improved the Chiefs’ record to 3-0 for the 14th time in franchise history.

On SportsBeat KC, the weekly sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3), beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian broke down the game they covered in Miami, and what it means for the Chiefs going forward, starting with Sunday’s date against the surprising Las Vegas Raiders. They also stand 3-0.

Also, Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson wraps up the season of a team that finished a disappointing 69-93 and in last place in the AL Central. It wasn’t supposed to be this way for the Royals, who were coming off consecutive winning seasons.

But instead of going to the postseason, they watched two other teams from their division, the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians, uncork champagne and celebrate their accomplishments at Kauffman Stadium, rubbing salt in the wound.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Seth Jahraus, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

The Chiefs won in the same building that Patrick Mahomes won his first Super Bowl, a 24-10 too-close-for-comfort win against the Dolphins on Sunday.

They were imperfect. But the record remains perfect: 3-0.

Here are The Star’s initial observations from the game

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Seth Jahraus, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Patrick Mahomes passed for 382 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, and when he plays like he did against the Indianapolis Colts, there’s no limit to the Chiefs’ fortunes.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3), Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Kenneth Walker III and an offense that continues to hum.

The defense was another story against the Colts. But can the Chiefs continue to outscore opponents? The true tests are likely to happen after this weekend, when the Chiefs visit the Miami Dolphins.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Seth Jahraus, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

On the first play of the season for the Chiefs’ offense, Patrick Mahomes handed the ball off to running back Kenneth Walker III. And the second, third and fourth, with Andy Reid establishing the team’s intent from the outset.

It worked. Walker rushed for 173 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown, and the Chiefs rolled past the Denver Broncos 31-10 in a resounding season opener.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3), columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian and Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney break down what went right, from Walker to the pressure defense, from Andy Reid’s play calling to the encouraging play of several rookies.

This strong first impression may have reshaped how we look at the AFC West race and the Chiefs’ Super Bowl chances.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Seth Jahraus, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

A new season for the Chiefs has arrived. The season opener against the Denver Broncos is set for “Monday Night Football” at Arrowhead Stadium, and get ready for Patrick Mahomes’ first game since suffering a knee injury late last season.

For the first time in a decade, the Chiefs aren’t coming off a playoff year, but the season is full of promise, if not a clean bill of health. Tackle Josh Simmons and safety Chamarri Conner are likely to miss the opener.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian describe what they expect from the Chiefs in the opening game and this season.

Also, I tell you what’s on my radar in Kansas City sports this week, starting with a college football rivalry with deep roots.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.   

As we approach Week 1 of the college football season, eligibility remains a major topic.

Used to be, these things were settled long before the season began, but as Missouri Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz said last week, the eligibility system is an “absolute embarrassment” and a “complete clown show” as players are using the courtrooms to get injunctions to play.

On the field, the 2026 season arrives this week, too, with the Tigers, Kansas State and Kansas all opening at home. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell preview the season and try to make sense of what’s happening with the sport.

Also, actor Brendan Hunt discusses his role as Coach Beard on the popular TV series “Ted Lasso.” Hunt was in town recently to accept an award on behalf of Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis and shared thoughts on his career and filming this season’s first episode in Kansas City.

Then, Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down the team’s cuts and waiver-wire acquisitions to finalize a 53-man roster ahead of KC’s Sept. 14 opener against the Denver Broncos.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.   

SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM) features coming attractions with the Royals and Chiefs.

Columnist Sam McDowell breaks down city council’s approval of funding for the Royals proposed ballpark at Crown Center. Financial questions remain about project, which could end up costing taxpayers some $600 million.

Later, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss the next moves for the Chiefs after their preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Roster decisions loom for the Chiefs. Which will be the most difficult choices for the coaching staff?

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.