(Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to rest their starters in their Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos has sparked debate across the NFL.
Though the move seems logical on paper — the Chiefs have nothing to gain with the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up — some analysts believe this conservative approach could come back to haunt them.
Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms has been particularly vocal about the risks involved.
While he understands the logic behind resting Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, Simms strongly disagrees with holding out more of the roster for the final regular season game.
"The way it sets up right now… They're going to go three and a half weeks without meaningful football. That's scary. That's a recipe for getting upset in the divisional round." @CSimmsQB on why the Kansas City Chiefs resting players may be a mistake.
WATCH:… pic.twitter.com/kMt7T2Ngs9
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) January 3, 2025
His concerns stem from the rust factor that could set in during an extended break.
Simms drew attention to a cautionary tale from the past, pointing to the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff upset loss to the Tennessee Titans after sitting their starters for two weeks.
Despite the Chiefs’ dominant position, they could find themselves vulnerable to a similar fate if they don’t maintain their competitive rhythm.
Simms also referenced the New England Patriots’ historical approach, suggesting that using core players for substantial portions of final regular season games helped keep the team sharp for its playoff runs.
It’s a strategy that contrasts sharply with Kansas City’s current plan.
The situation presents a classic risk-reward scenario. While resting players might protect stars from injury, the extended break from competitive play could disrupt momentum.
