When Sean McVay decided to skip the preseason years ago, benching all of his starters and most of his key backups, many coaches followed suit. More than half of the NFL’s teams sat 20 or more players on the bench last week.
And the coach who wins the Super Bowl every time doesn’t give a damn.
Andy Reid sees value in the preseason. His Kansas City Chiefs will get playing time in August. While teams like the Los Angeles Rams wouldn’t dream of fielding a QB2 in preseason games, two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes will be there. He might even throw some behind-the-back passes.
Reid opted out of Thursday’s final preseason game. Mahomes, who completed 11 of 18 passes for 120 yards this preseason, did not play against the Chicago Bears. Kansas City sat most of its starters as Reid rested his key players. Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams also did not play.
The Chiefs had no further setbacks to expect before the regular season began.
Chiefs suffered a serious injury
The reason teams don’t play starters in the preseason is obvious, and that’s to prevent injuries. The Chiefs didn’t come out of August unscathed.
Receiver Marquise Brown suffered a dislocated sternoclavicular joint in the season opener against Kansas City and could miss the start of the regular season. Brown would be a big improvement for the Chiefs, who struggled to find consistency in their receivers last season. Given a reported recovery time of four to six weeks, Brown should be back early this season.
The good news is that the preseason has given everyone a good look at first-round pick Xavier Worthy and what he can do. His speed is obvious and the Chiefs seem intent on using him a lot. He looks dangerous in the Chiefs’ offense.
The other good news for the Chiefs this preseason was that receiver Rashee Rice has yet to hear from the NFL about a suspension. Rice was arrested on multiple charges stemming from a high-speed, multi-vehicle crash in Dallas this offseason.
Brown’s injury wasn’t great for the Chiefs, but it’s hard to get through August without an injury, whether you use your starters in the preseason or not. Everything else looked pretty good for the reigning champs. They even re-signed center Creed Humphrey, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL on Thursday night. Good vibes all around.
Chiefs ready for regular season
Some players may have been fighting for a roster spot Thursday night, or simply for playing time once the season starts. Mecole Hardman, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore were among the receivers who played. Sophomore running back Deneric Prince also played as he tried to solidify a role. Fourth-round safety Jaden Hicks, who may play a big role on other teams but not the deep Chiefs, also played Thursday to make an impression.
The Chiefs are just trying to figure out the last few players on the roster and maybe a few depth chart decisions. Most of last season’s Super Bowl-winning team is back. The Chiefs have continuity on both sides of the ball and should be in midseason shape for the Week 1 season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. A few preseason reps haven’t hurt that, either.
The Chiefs’ pre-season ended early for most of the team’s key players, and now they can focus on their march toward history.
