History repeated itself during the Chiefs‘ preseason opener against the Cardinals on August 9. Andy Reid promised before the game that Patrick Mahomes would get game reps in the first quarter. But history has a better track record than any press conference. Since 2019, the first-quarter prophecy has never been fulfilled. Back then, Mahomes played just seven snaps against the Bengals before taking a seat. In 2021? Four snaps. 2023 against the Saints? Five. Last year versus the Jaguars? Only six. That’s what played out.

Patrick Mahomes walked off the field Saturday night with that half-smile quarterbacks wear when they’re trying to look fine but are quietly annoyed. He’d been given exactly one throw. One. And then Andy Reid yanked him. Kay Adams called it “a bummer” on her show, and Mahomes didn’t disagree. “It was definitely a little bit of a bummer,” he told reporters, per NFL Network.

Mahomes has his own preseason philosophy. He wants to take a few hits, shake off the offseason, and remember what it feels like to be the guy in the pocket, without that non-contact yellow jersey. “You want to kind of get hit, not hit hard,” he explained. Just enough to feel like you’re in real football again. That’s the rhythm he’s chasing, the mental spark you can’t get from practice. But instead, his night was a two-minute cameo.

Of course, Reid’s logic isn’t wrong. The Chiefs got an early turnover, punched in a touchdown, and escaped “moderately healthy.” In the preseason, that’s basically a win. But for him, it wasn’t enough. He was in the game for exactly 48 seconds. That’s not enough time for the fans to even compare if he is season-ready.

Well, no one doubts his preparedness. But this season isn’t an ordinary one. Patrick Mahomes is chasing vengeance after losing Super Bowl LIX. And in the heat of the moment, he made a big promise to his fans.

Patrick Mahomes gives a word of assurance to Chiefs Kingdom

The promise now? “I’m sure I’ll get a couple more snaps as the preseason goes on,” Mahomes said. “I’ll be out there this week. Hopefully a couple more drives.” He’s itching for it, and unless Reid wraps him in bubble wrap again, expect to see No. 15 slinging it more before Week 1. And if there’s one thing history tells us, when Mahomes wants something, he usually gets it. The only question is how much Reid is willing to risk before the games actually count.

And if you ever wondered where the QB gets that unshakable confidence from, look no further than his family. Moments before this year’s preseason opener, his younger brother Jackson Mahomes dropped a quick, four-word rally cry on social media, “GO TIMEEE.” A little loud, a little brash. It’s not new. Jackson has made a career out of being his brother’s hype man, from posting sideline videos to firing off tweets mid-game.

And his mother wasn’t far behind in hyping him up. Hours before kickoff, she posted a photo of Patrick Mahomes holding his young son, Bronze. “My boy and his boy, ready for game day, couldn’t be more proud,” she wrote, red and yellow hearts in tow. It’s classic Mahomes family energy, equal parts of fierce loyalty and genuine joy. And while the NFL keeps pushing to expand global reach, maybe it should first make sure moms like Randi can actually watch their kids play.

The family is a constant source of joy for the Chiefs Kingdom. Now that the Grim Reaper has made the promise, expect more intense moments in the coming preseason game against the Seahawks on August 15.