In a stunning departure from NFL preseason norms, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has ignited a firestorm of excitement and debate among fans by announcing that superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes will take the field for the team’s final preseason game against the Chicago Bears this Friday. The decision, described as “unusual” by Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star, breaks from the Chiefs’ tradition of resting starters in the preseason finale to focus on evaluating roster hopefuls.
Reid confirmed that Mahomes and the first-team unit will kick off the game, a move that has sent ripples through the Chiefs’ fanbase. “Yeah, they’ll start it off for sure,” Reid said, leaving open the question of how long the starters will play. “We’ll see how it goes from there.” This follows a pattern of limited but deliberate preseason action for Mahomes, who threw just one pass—a one-yard touchdown strike—in the team’s opening preseason game. Despite Reid’s initial plan for the starters to play nearly a quarter in that game, Mahomes’ appearance was cut short after a Seahawks fumble on the kickoff.
Last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks saw Reid experiment further, playing many starters alongside backup quarterback Gardner Minshew to give fringe roster candidates a chance to shine with the first-team offensive line. “I wanted to give the best look we could for [the backups],” Reid explained. “They’re trying to make the team. We got some guys that are right on the border of making it. And I wanted to see the quarterback work with the [starting] offensive line.”
The decision to play Mahomes in the preseason has sparked heated discussion. Critics argue it’s an unnecessary gamble for a quarterback who has battled through injuries in recent seasons. Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion, is the cornerstone of the Chiefs’ dynasty, and any risk to his health is a lightning rod for concern. Supporters, however, see Reid’s strategy as a calculated move to keep Mahomes sharp and in sync with his teammates as the regular season looms.
Reid’s decision may also be tied to getting Mahomes valuable reps with key offensive weapons, particularly wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. The speedy playmaker, who missed nearly two weeks of training camp and the first two preseason games due to injury, returned to practice on Sunday. Reid noted that the team is taking a cautious approach with Brown’s recovery. “We’ll see how he progresses through this thing,” Reid said. “It’s not a matter of wanting to be out there; he wants to do it. It’s just taking it slow. We don’t want any setbacks with this thing.”
Brown’s limited action last season—nine receptions for 91 yards in two regular-season games and five catches for 50 yards in three playoff games—underscores his importance to the Chiefs’ explosive offense. With Brown potentially suiting up for Friday’s game, Reid may want Mahomes to build chemistry with the dynamic receiver before the regular season kicks off.
As the Chiefs gear up for their final preseason test, all eyes will be on Mahomes and how Reid balances the need for game reps with the imperative to protect his star players. Will Mahomes play a handful of snaps, or will Reid keep him on the field longer to fine-tune the offense? Whatever the outcome, Reid’s bold move has Chiefs Kingdom buzzing with anticipation—and a touch of apprehension—as they await Friday’s clash with the Bears.