Here’s how much Patrick Mahomes & Chiefs starters will play in 1st NFL preseason game
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn’t straying from a process that has served him well.
Reid announced Friday how the Chiefs would be divvying up their playing time for Sunday’s first preseason road game at the New Orleans Saints, and it’s much like past years; the Chiefs starters (and quarterback Patrick Mahomes) will play about a quarter, followed by the second team replacing them in the second quarter.
The first-team playing time remains approximate. Mahomes, for example, played just one series last year in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.
KC’s third team (third quarter) and fourth team (fourth quarter) are scheduled to get in after halftime.
“Everybody’ll play. This game here, everybody will play. And they deserve that,” Reid said Friday following practice at Missouri Western’s campus. “They’ve earned that right. They’ve made it through this part of camp, and they’ve earned the right to get out there.”
Though some NFL teams decide to rest their veteran starting quarterbacks altogether early in the preseason, Reid joked Friday that Mahomes “wants to play more than I play him” in the first exhibition.
Reid also spoke to the benefit of Mahomes taking some snaps Sunday.
“Just getting in the flow — pregame, the whole thing there. Having to go through the warmups. Your juices are going a little bit more than what they do in practice,” Reid said. “Just gradual ramp-up.”
Mahomes considers the preseason part of his normal prep. One aspect of the process, he says, is getting to experience full contact again.
“You want to get hit where it’s not too hard, but you can feel it,” Mahomes said. “You go through a long offseason of working through the pocket and knowing the guys are rushing, but they can’t touch you. And so it’s just different when you get in the game and you’re able to get tackled.”
Even after the Chiefs’ starters are out, there should be plenty of intrigue. Reid said he’s “as curious as you are” to see the young guys, whether it’s an expected contributor like receiver Rashee Rice or an undrafted rookie trying to make the team like cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe.
“We’re going to give you an opportunity to get yourself on tape,” Reid said. “So prepare, and then go shine.”
One area where the first-, second- and third-team units could be jumbled is on special teams. Reid said those groups would be making small changes often, meaning one might not get a clear look at the 1s, 2s or 3s based on game timing.
Another note: Defensive end Charles Omenihu, who was suspended six games last week for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, will get some time with the 1s before potentially rotating in with later groups.
Reid said he was excited to get to this stage, as younger players have the ability to put highlights on tape — plays that might help them earn a spot with the Chiefs or another NFL team.
“We’re still in the evaluation period. Let’s make it fair game,” Reid said. “Get out there and compete your hearts out and maybe you have a chance. Some of these guys you might not think make it, well maybe they’ll have that chance to make a great team.”
