Chiefs Reveal Usage ‘Plan’ for Patrick Mahomes During Preseason Opener

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid relayed the preseason Week 1 usage plan for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the starters on August 7. And yes, No. 15 will be taking the field against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night.

“Chiefs HC Andy Reid says the plan is for Patrick Mahomes to play the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason game vs. the Cardinals,” NFL insider Ari Meirov reported on X. “Reid has long been a believer in giving starters preseason reps.”

Just after, A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman followed up on the news, posting: “Chiefs HC Andy Reid says he wants the starters to go out and ‘do well’ but adds of snaps in preseason Week 1: ‘I’m going to keep the numbers down in the first game, and we’ll see about the second game.’”

So, expect Mahomes and the starters to be out there for the first one to three offensive drives on August 9, as we get our first taste of Chiefs action in 2025.

Patrick Mahomes Sends Message to Chiefs Teammates Ahead of Preseason Week 1

It’s almost hard to believe that Mahomes is entering year nine of his NFL career. Of course, this will only be the eighth season where he begins as the starter.

It’s safe to say Mahomes has earned the description of “veteran” now, even if he’s already acted like one for a long time. His message to the younger Chiefs players ahead of preseason Week 1?

“I think it’s going out there and just doing what you’ve done in this camp,” Mahomes told reporters on August 7, via Goldman.

“I always like getting hit once,” the Chiefs QB voiced, per Goldman, after a follow-up question on his personal excitement level. “It’ll be a good defense we’re going up against.”

Finally, the A-to-Z Sports Chiefs reporter relayed one last quote from Mahomes on his preseason and training camp mentality ahead of the matchup with the Cardinals.

“Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on his training camp mentality: ‘You want to go out there and dominate every single day, but I want to dominate every single rep,’” Mahomes said, via Goldman.

That’s Mahomes’ championship mindset shining through, even if it’s only August 7.

Chiefs Storylines to Watch During Preseason Opener

Although it’s always fun to watch Mahomes and the first-team offense, the bigger preseason storylines tend to lie with the backups and bubble candidates.

At the starting level, it will be interesting to see which offensive linemen take the field in front of Mahomes. First-round pick Josh Simmons is expected to be the starting left tackle as a rookie, so fans should get their first chance to see him in a live game on Saturday.

Left guard and right tackle are the other two positions of note. Will Kingsley Suamataia and Jawaan Taylor start in these spots? Or will newcomer Jaylon Moore get the opportunity to do so at one or the other?

Aside from the Chiefs’ first-team offensive line, second- and third-team position battles at wide receiver, cornerback, defensive line, tight end, and running back should steal the show on August 9.

Will a training camp darling like WR Tyquan Thornton live up to the hype against a real opponent? How about the backup CB battle between Nohl Williams, Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams, among others?

Finally, fans should watch this new KC draft class closely, as it’s garnered a ton of attention this spring and summer. Rookies like Simmons, WR Jalen Royals, DT Omarr Norman-Lott, DE Ashton Gillotte, RB Brashard Smith, and more should all be on display this weekend