The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the Los Angeles Rams for their preseason opener on August 15. However, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is likely to sit out while recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 15 of the previous season. Head coach Andy Reid has indicated that the team is ‘leaning against’ playing Mahomes during the preseason.
Reid stated via ProFootballTalk, “There’s a pretty good chance I don’t play him [against the Rams]. Percentages are leaning that way. I don’t know if I’ll play him the second or third game, but the percentages likely lean against doing that. We’ve got new people in those other positions behind him that need some work, and so the more reps they get, the better.”
The Chiefs are evaluating backup quarterbacks who need to adjust to Kansas City’s system. Justin Fields, now Mahomes’ primary backup, joined the franchise earlier this offseason through a trade. Additionally, rookie Garrett Nussmeier, a seventh-round draft pick, could gain valuable experience from preseason play.
After the game against the Rams, the Chiefs will continue their preseason with matches against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks. The regular season kicks off with a Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 14.