The preseason has become one of the NFL’s most polarizing subjects. Some coaches refuse to put their top players on the field, prioritizing health over everything else.
Others, such as Andy Reid, see value in allowing starters to log meaningful snaps before Week 1. For the Kansas City Chiefs, that means Patrick Mahomes takes the field in August, even with the inherent risks.
The two-time MVP suited up against the Chicago Bears and played more than a token series, giving fans a glimpse of what the reigning champions have been building this offseason. Afterward, Mahomes explained why he pushed to be involved.
“For me, I wanted to get out there,” Mahomes said. “It’s the preseason, we understand it, and you want everybody to stay safe and have your health, but at the end of the day, you’re a football player and you got to play football and there’s risks that are involved with that.
“So, we want to get out there and give chances to showcase that what we’re doing is paying off. With new offensive linemen, a couple new receivers and getting guys back that were that were injured last year, you want to go out there and showcase what you’ve been working on.
I thought we did a good job of that. It was a small step, but it was a step in the right direction.”
Building chemistry before September
For Mahomes, the preseason is less about results and more about rhythm. Kansas City made several tweaks on offense, including adjustments to the offensive line and the addition of new receiving targets.
Replicating that in practice can only go so far, and the quarterback stressed the importance of testing it against live defenses.
Reid‘s philosophy has long leaned toward controlled exposure for his starters. The goal is not to overextend them but to let them feel the speed, pressure, and physicality of real NFL action.
For Mahomes, that means absorbing a hit or two, finding timing with receivers in motion, and making sure communication is sharp across the line of scrimmage.
Balancing risk and reward
Critics argue that exposing stars in the preseason is unnecessary. A freak injury could derail an entire season, and many franchises prefer to minimize that risk.
Yet Kansas City has consistently taken the other side of the debate, betting that short stints in August better prepare the team for September.
The Bears game offered validation. Mahomes and his unit executed smoothly, gained confidence in their rhythm, and, most importantly, left the field healthy.
“In an ideal world, you get live NFL reps, get hit and see how your scheme is looking ahead of the new season, and most importantly, you leave the ground fully healthy,” Mahomes said.
