When Patrick Mahomes went down against the Los Angeles Chargers, it wasn’t just the loss of a single game that stung Andy Reid. For the first time in years, the Chiefs missed the playoffs. But as their losing skid extends into the 2026 preseason, Andy Reid faces a tough question: should he start Mahomes?
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Well, Reid has made his decision. While Patrick Mahomes made it clear he was ready to take the field against the Seattle Seahawks, his preseason will look like it did back in 2020. And it could be a decision that helps a different QB.
“Well, listen, he’s looked good during the practices and doing the stuff,” Reid said about Mahomes in a press conference on Wednesday. “This week, he was a scout team quarterback and a pretty good scout team quarterback. But he’s looked good, he’s looked strong. Obviously, his attitude’s right,” he added, as the team confirmed Mahomes won’t play on Friday.
Just a few days ago, Patrick Mahomes made it clear he wanted to be on the field against the Seattle Seahawks. But the star QB knew that decision wasn’t up to him. “I really wanted to play but they would not let me. I’ll be trying to play next week, but at the end of the day it’s up to coach Reid.”
And Mahomes’ progress so far made a solid case for him to start. A few months ago, some reports said Mahomes couldn’t make it back to the squad in the first few weeks. Yet, when the team started practice at Missouri Western, Mahomes was right in the middle of the action.
He kept up with Andy Reid’s infamously intense practice sessions, including the long-drive drills that are meant to simulate real game action. He also took first-team reps in practice and has shown no major limitations, even while wearing a knee brace.
“It feels great, pushing every single day, trying to stack days together,” Mahomes said on August 9. “I feel like when you’re tired, sometimes you don’t even think about it. So, I’m trying to protect it, but at the same time, I’m trying to push it and get myself ready to go for the season.”
Then, last week, as the team struggled against the Buccaneers, Mahomes was itching to take to the field. “If he’d put me in the game in this fourth quarter, I’d play right then.”
We can see why Mahomes would want to take the field. He hasn’t been in a competitive game for months, and even if it’s a preseason game, it could help him before the regular season starts. But Reid’s decision has a bigger plan at play.
While Mahomes has recovered well in the last few months, this final stretch is key to everything. If the QB is rushed back into play, they risk another injury. But more importantly, Reid needs this time to finalise the roster, especially at the QB role.
At the moment, the competition for QB2 is between Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier. And since Fields isn’t taking the field for the final game, it will be an opportunity to evaluate Nussmeier.
The Chiefs drafted the former LSU quarterback in the seventh round with the 249th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has already played in two preseason games, completing 22 of 36 passes for 172 yards.
And if he can perform against the Seahawks, Reid can groom him for a long-term role, even if he doesn’t take the QB2 spot from Justin Fields. So far, he has impressed Andy Reid with his performance.
“He’s done a nice job,” Reid said. “We threw him right into the fire there with the first group, and I thought he handled it well; it wasn’t a big shock to him. It looked like he stepped in and took it on, had good leadership and tempo in and out of the huddle. So, it was positive, I think. It’ll pay off for him down the road.”
Coming back to the Chiefs’ third preseason game, Andy Reid will be making tough calls all over the pitch. With multiple injuries in the squad, Reid revealed Mahomes won’t be the only one sitting out.
Andy Reid Sidelines Eight Chiefs Players From Seahawks Game
Andy Reid led Wednesday’s press conference by sharing injury updates for those players.
“As far as any injuries go, the guys that won’t play most likely are (Jack) Cochrane, Chamarri (Conner), Ashton (Gillotte), C.J. Hanson, Jimmy Holiday, (Chris) Oladokun is still in concussion protocol,” Reid said. “(Josh) Simmons will be out with the back, and then Tyreke Smith, and then we’ll just see.”
Jack Cochrane sustained a right knee injury during practice on August 17 and was taken off the field in a cart. The injury looked serious at first, but he is now doing better. Still, the Chiefs are being careful with him.
As for Chamarri Conner, he hurt his knee after colliding with Tyquan Thornton during August 13’s practice. The Chiefs tried to slowly bring Conner back, but he was still unable to practice and also missed practice on August 24. Reid said Conner was “getting better,” but gave no return date.
Ashton Gillotte suffered a ruptured plantar fascia in his foot just two days after returning from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of practice. The injury is expected to take about three weeks to heal, so Gillotte could still be ready to play in the Chiefs’ Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos if his recovery goes as planned.
Josh Simmons’ back injury has kept him out, raising more concern as he continues to miss time. Chris Oladokun, meanwhile, played against the Buccaneers on August 22 without any concussion symptoms. However, he began experiencing concussion symptoms the next day and was then placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Even Smith will be out because of a hamstring injury he suffered against Tampa Bay.
The injury concerns have risen at a rapid pace for the Chiefs. Moreover, they have lost two of two preseason games so far against the Rams and the Buccaneers. A win against the Seahawks on Friday would help them breathe a sigh of relief amid an overall negative sentiment overshadowing their preseason.