It’s official, folks: Patrick Mahomes will NOT suit up for the Kansas City Chiefs in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams this Saturday. Coach Andy Reid confirmed the decision, keeping the star quarterback sidelined as he gears up for the 2026 season. It’s a tough pill for fans eager to see him back, especially after that brutal season-ending knee injury that took him out late last year.
No. 15 Stays On The Sideline, For Now
Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen broke the news straight from Coach Reid: “Patrick Mahomes will not play on Saturday.” Look, nobody’s really shocked here, right? This isn’t some minor tweak Mahomes is shaking off, it was a serious knee injury last season, one that cut his year short. Playing a preseason game, where the results don’t mean a single thing, is just risking re-injury for their future Hall of Fame quarterback. It’s a smart, if frustrating, move from the Chiefs front office.
So, who’s stepping up while Mahomes watches from the sideline? We’re gonna see a rotation with veteran quarterback and offseason trade pickup Justin Fields getting the start. This is his chance to show what he’s got in a new system. Also splitting time are Garrett Nussmeier, a late-round steal, and Chris Oladokun, who saw a bit of action last season for Kansas City. It’s a prime opportunity for these guys to shine and show the coaching staff what they can do.
Playing It Smart For Week 1
Honestly, this decision is all about playing the long game. The Chiefs know they need Mahomes healthy and firing on all cylinders for the real battles, not exhibition games. As long as he’s good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener, then it’s all good. And that’s the ultimate goal. That first real test is set for Monday night against the Denver Broncos. That’s when we need Mahomes to be 100%, fully recovered from that serious knee injury, ready to lead the charge.
So, yeah, Chiefs fans are gonna have to pump the brakes just a little longer. It stings not seeing your main man out there, but this is the cautious approach, and frankly, it’s the right one. All eyes are now locked on that Week 1 regular season clash against the Broncos. That’s when the wait truly ends, and we see Mahomes back where he belongs, carving up defenses. Until then, the focus is squarely on getting him game-ready, no unnecessary risks needed.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply