Chiefs-Vikings preseason game to be aired live nationally on NFL Network

The league announced that NFL Network would carry 23 live preseason games next month, highlighted by the live pro football debuts of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields and New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones — all in Week 1.

The announcement makes it two chances for the national audience to check out the back-to-back AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs during the 2021 preseason.

The Chiefs’ third and final preseason game, a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, August 27 at Arrowhead Stadium, will be aired on NFL Network beginning at 7 p.m. Arrowhead Time. The game will also be broadcast locally on KSHB (NBC).

The Chiefs last played the Vikings during Week 9 of the 2019 championship season, when backup quarterback Matt Moore led Kansas City to an improbable win.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid usually rests the starters in the final game of the preseason — but given there are now only three preseason games, it is unclear how his approach might change. Previously, when there were four games, Reid would typically use preseason Week 3 as a three-quarter dress rehearsal for the regular season.

Week 1 away against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, August 14, will air at 7:30 p.m. on KSHB and Week 2 away against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night, August 20, will air nationally at 7 p.m. on ESPN.