Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has indicated that the team is “leaning against” playing superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the preseason. This decision comes as Mahomes continues his recovery from an ACL tear sustained in Week 15 of the 2025 season. Reid emphasized, “There’s a pretty good chance I don’t play him [against the Rams],” highlighting a focus on developing other players in key positions.
This decision is significant for Chiefs fans as it shapes the team’s strategy heading into their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams on August 15. With Mahomes sidelined, attention will shift to backup quarterbacks Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier, both of whom need valuable game experience to prepare for the regular season.
Fields, entering his first season with Kansas City after a trade earlier this offseason, will likely assume a larger role in Mahomes’ absence. Meanwhile, Nussmeier, a seventh-round rookie draft pick, stands to gain from additional reps as well. The Chiefs have two more preseason games scheduled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks before kicking off their regular-season campaign against the Denver Broncos on September 14.
The Bigger Question
Should the Chiefs start Mahomes for the first quarter to get him some reps with this year’s starters, or is it wiser to keep him on the sidelines and prioritize his health?