Patrick Mahomes Preseason 2026: Why Andy Reid Is Leaning Toward Sitting Him
- Football Nation
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting closer to their first preseason game, but Patrick Mahomes is increasingly unlikely to be part of it. Head coach Andy Reid said Friday that he is leaning toward keeping Mahomes out of the August 15 opener against the Los Angeles Rams, and the possibility now exists that the quarterback could sit through the entire three game preseason.
That is not a setback. Mahomes has been fully participating in training camp after surgery to repair the ACL and LCL in his left knee. The decision is about risk, workload and how Kansas City wants to prepare for September after a 2025 season that ended with Mahomes injured and the Chiefs outside the playoffs.
Why the Chiefs are leaning toward sitting Mahomes
Reuters reported on August 7 that Reid considers Mahomes unlikely to play in the preseason opener and may keep him out of all three exhibition games. The Chiefs also have a practical roster reason to do it: Justin Fields, rookie Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun need live game snaps as Kansas City sorts out the backup quarterback picture.
Mahomes does not need August snaps to prove that he understands Andy Reid’s offense. What Kansas City needs to know is whether his repaired knee continues responding normally to repeated practices, movement outside the pocket and a steadily increasing workload. Those checkpoints can be managed far more carefully in camp than in a preseason game where defenders are allowed to finish the play.
This is actually a positive Mahomes injury update
The important distinction is that Kansas City is discussing whether Mahomes should play, not whether he can practice. He entered camp fully cleared and has continued taking team repetitions. Chiefs practice coverage this week has also highlighted his ability to move, escape pressure and make throws on the run. That is a much better place to be than the uncertainty surrounding his knee earlier in the offseason.
What sitting Mahomes means for Justin Fields
A Mahomes absence creates a much more valuable preseason for Justin Fields. Kansas City acquired Fields to give the offense a veteran option behind Mahomes, and every exhibition series gives Reid a chance to see how Fields handles protections, timing and the full structure of the Chiefs offense under game pressure.
Nussmeier also benefits. Rookie quarterbacks rarely get enough live reps when an established starter takes early preseason series. If Mahomes sits, Kansas City can divide meaningful snaps between Fields and Nussmeier without sacrificing regular season preparation for its franchise quarterback.
Does this change Mahomes’ Week 1 outlook?
Not by itself. Kansas City opens the regular season against Denver on September 14, more than a month after Reid made this preseason decision. The Chiefs can use that time to keep increasing Mahomes’ workload without exposing him to unnecessary exhibition contact. If his knee continues responding well, sitting in August could actually improve the odds that he is physically ready for the opener.
There is also a competitive reason to be conservative. Denver won the AFC West in 2025, ending Kansas City’s long run atop the division. The Chiefs need Mahomes available for that game far more than they need him taking a handful of preseason snaps against the Rams, Buccaneers or Seahawks.
Football Nation takeaway
Andy Reid leaning toward sitting Patrick Mahomes is the sensible move. The quarterback is practicing, moving and progressing. That is the information that matters. Preseason action would add contact risk while taking valuable snaps away from the quarterbacks Kansas City actually needs to evaluate.
The next meaningful Mahomes checkpoint is not whether he appears for one series on August 15. It is whether he keeps stacking healthy practices and reaches September ready to handle a full game. If that happens, the Chiefs will not care that his preseason stat line was empty.
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