How Andy Reid and Chiefs have handled playing time in previous playoffs-clinched games
Chiefs defensive end Tershawn Wharton remembers the added energy in the week leading up to the regular-season finale during his rookie season.
The Chiefs had already clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffs, and Wharton was set to get his first start.
“It was an exciting time for me and everybody I came in with,” Wharton said.
With the Chiefs locked into the No. 3 seed in this year’s postseason, several veteran starters figure to watch Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers from the sideline. KC coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Blaine Gabbert, not Patrick Mahomes, will start at quarterback.
That likely means many rookies and reserves will get starts and more playing time. In 2020, Wharton, an undrafted free agent from Missouri S&T, had appeared in 14 of 15 games. But in the finale, he played a season-high 89% of the snaps. Another rookie defensive lineman, Mike Danna, also made his first career start in that game.
The buzz started early in the week, in the locker room.
“I remember (Chiefs defensive star) Chris (Jones) and others talking to me that week, saying they wanted to see my potential and he was excited to see me play,” Wharton said.
How will Reid handle the Chiefs’ roster Sunday? This week marks the fourth time in his 11 years in Kansas City that the Chiefs close out the regular season knowing their playoff position ... and Reid has sat starters each time.
Mahomes got his career first start in the 2017 finale and was inactive in 2020. Travis Kelce was inactive in 2017 and didn’t play in 2020.
Reid didn’t say who else would start Sunday, and he dodged questions about the playing status of those who are approaching milestones — like Kelce needing 16 yards for his eighth straight 1,000-yard season — or contract incentives.
But here’s how Reid handled the previous three games since 2013 when the Chiefs, locked into their playoff seeding, sat several starters:
2020
In the first year of the 14-team playoff field, the Chiefs cliched the AFC’s top seed with one week to spare. They faced the Los Angeles Chargers at home in Week 17, and quarterback Chad Henne made his only start in four seasons in Kansas City.
The Chiefs led early but rookie Justin Herbert passed for 302 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Chargers to a 38-21 victory. With 110 combined rushing and receiving yards and two touchdowns, Chiefs running back Darwin Thompson had the biggest game of his two-year career in his only start.
Among the inactives: Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Tyrann Mathieu, Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Did not play: Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Charvarius Ward, L’Jaruis Sneed, Frank Clark, Daniel Sorensen, Eric Fisher, Derrick Nnadi.
2017
The Chiefs had clinched their second straight AFC West title the previous week and were locked into the No. 4 seed as they visited Denver for their regular-season finale.
Patrick Mahomes saw the field for the first time in the NFL. And what a debut. No touchdown passes, but Mahomes left the game in the fourth quarter with the Chiefs leading by 14. The Broncos scored twice in the next four minutes to tie the game, and Mahomes was reinserted in time to lead a game-winning drive, with Harrison Butker kicking the game winning field goal as time expired.
Among the starters were running back Kareem Hunt and tackle Mitchell Schwartz. Hunt capped the Chiefs’ first possession with a 35-yard touchdown run on his only carry to lock up the NFL rushing title.
Schwartz entered the game with 95 consecutive starts and 6,284 consecutive plays since his debut in 2012. Those streaks were extended in the Chiefs’ 27-24 triumph.
Among the inactives: Tyreek Hill, Marcus Peters, Derrick Johnson, Travis Kelce.
Did not play: Alex Smith, Tamba Hali, Allen Bailey, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
2013
Reid also got an opportunity to rest starters in his first season with KC.
The Chiefs had locked up the No. 5 seed heading to San Diego and sat 20 of 22 starters. This was much to the delight of the Chargers, who needed a victory to clinch postseason berth.
But the Chiefs, behind quarterback Chase Daniel — in his first NFL start — jumped to a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Chargers drew even, and then KC kicker Ryan Succop missed a 41-yard field goal with four seasons remaining. The Chargers won 27-24 in overtime.
Among the inactives: Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles, Derrick Johnson, Dwayne Bowe, Tamba Hali, Dontari Poe.
Did not play: Justin Houston, Eric Berry, Brandon Flowers.
This story was originally published January 3, 2024 at 2:39 PM.