Multiple team sources confirmed Royals left the sideline immediately after a special-teams miscue, refusing to speak to coaches, teammates, or staff. His absence caused confusion as the Chiefs attempted to regroup following the 22–19 defeat that pushed them back to .500 on the season.
What happened moments before Royals walked out is what triggered one of Andy Reid’s most decisive disciplinary actions in years.
A critical mistake — and a breaking point
Midway through the fourth quarter, Royals misread a coverage look on a designed quick-out route, leading to a near interception that nearly cost the Chiefs another possession. Earlier in the game, he also muffed a kickoff return that pinned Kansas City at its own 7-yard line.
When the Chiefs pulled him from the field, Royals took off his helmet, slammed it onto the bench, and silently left for the tunnel — a move that stunned veterans on the sideline.
Andy Reid responds: “That’s not how we do things in Kansas City.”
After the game, head coach Andy Reid addressed the situation with rare sharpness.
“In this organization, we respect the game, and we respect each other,” Reid said. “If your first move after a mistake is to walk away from your teammates, you’re not ready to be part of this locker room. Accountability matters here — every single day.”
Within hours, the Chiefs announced Royals would be suspended for the next two games, removed from both the receiver rotation and special-teams duties.
Royals’ frustrations had been building
According to sources close to the team, Royals was frustrated by his fluctuating role this season. Despite a promising rookie preseason in 2024, he entered 2025 as a depth WR behind Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, and Kadarius Toney.
Week 11 was supposed to be his chance — with Worthy dealing with hamstring tightness — but his miscues instead accelerated tensions that had quietly existed for weeks.
Royals later told a team assistant that he was “tired of being used like a gadget player instead of a real receiver,” a sentiment that echoes what Mecole Hardman once expressed in Green Bay.
Suspension opens the door for Chiefs’ younger receivers
With Royals sidelined, Kansas City is expected to elevate undrafted rookie Xavier Smith and increase reps for Montrell Washington. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy reportedly wants to “reset the room” after a string of mental mistakes from the depth WRs.
A crossroads for Royals
Despite his speed and route-running flashes, Royals now faces a steep uphill battle to remain on the roster beyond November. His emotional reaction — walking out mid-game — has raised questions about maturity and reliability.
But the Chiefs haven’t fully closed the door.
The final line of Reid’s press conference said it all:
“Everyone gets opportunities in this league. What matters is what you do with the next one.”
Whether Royals ever receives that next chance in Kansas City is now entirely up to him.
