Here's how Chiefs' Andy Reid is handling playing time in preseason opener
Don't expect to see the starters on the field for extended action
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Chiefs on Thursday wrapped up Day 14 of training camp practice.
Up next, Chiefs coach Andy Reid prepares his team for Saturday’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
And with the preparation, an annual summer tradition of not expecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the starters to see extended action during the preseason.
“We situate it off the quarterbacks, so they’ll each get a quarter,” Reid said. “The first one will be Pat (Mahomes), second one is (Gardner) Minshew, and then (Bailey) Zappe, and then Chris (Oladokun) at the end there.
“So, each one gets a quarter, and then everybody kind of follows that as we go.”
Message received: Don’t blink too hard or risk the chance of seeing Mahomes in action for a handful of plays, especially if the previous preseasons offer a hint.
Mahomes has often found himself on the sidelines after a series or two in the preseason opener since becoming the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018.
He played a total of six snaps in the Chiefs’ 2024 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the same amount of plays he totaled in the 2023 opener against the New Orleans Saints.
The Chiefs’ star signal-caller totaled 11 snaps against the Chicago Bears in 2022, and four snaps against the San Francisco 49ers in 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 didn’t provide preseason action, but Mahomes played just eight snaps in the Chiefs’ preseason opener in 2019 and nine snaps in 2018.
Mahomes, however, appears fine with the limited action.
“I don’t necessarily look forward to getting hit, but I always like to get hit once,” Mahomes said Thursday. “It’s still a shock, but going against (defensive coordinator Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) is always tough.
“It will be a good defense we’re going up against, and they have a great scheme and a great coach, so I’m just excited to see where we’re at. Go out there and see where we’re at, get hopefully a couple of series, go out there and play some good football.”
With the starters projected to give way to backups early in Saturday’s contest, Mahomes had a message for the rookies and first-year players fighting for a roster spot.
“I think it’s going out there and doing what they’ve done in this camp,” he said. “Obviously, it’s going to be a bigger stage – you’re going up against another team – but I think Coach Reid prepares us better than anybody else in the league to go out there and play your best football.
“And that’s because we practice hard, we practice fast, so when we get to the game it’s not that huge step up. … Go out there like you practice, have that right mindset, and just play fast, and let the rest handle itself.”
T.O. SIGHTING
Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, who played for Reid while with the Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05), was present on the practice field as Reid’s guest.
“It’s great to have him,” Reid said. “I’ve watched him grow up. He’s a dad now. His son is with the 49ers, doing a nice job, and he’s got a daughter who’s a heck of a volleyball player. Just watching people grow, I think, is a great position that I’m in to see that. And he’s got a good heart. T.O.’s got a good heart.”
PARTICIPATION
Cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee) is off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and made his first practice of training camp.
Fulton, though, did not participate in team drills and was limited to individual position drills.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill (back) also returned to the practice field after missing time, but he just participated in individual drills.
Fulton and Tranquill left the practice field to work off to the side with the athletic trainers.
Wide receivers Hollywood Brown (ankle) and Rashee Rice (groin), and rookie tight end Jake Briningstool (hamstring) didn’t practice.
Reid said defensive tackle Fabien Lovett dealt with an ankle injury but finished practice, while rookie running back Brashard Smith had a finger injury.
Reid didn’t sound concerned on Smith.
“They’re going to take care of him up there,” Reid said. “He should be all right.”
