ANDY REID UNLIKELY TO PLAY PATRICK MAHOMES IN CHIEFS PRESEASON

Andy Reid announced that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will likely not play in preseason games this August. Reid told reporters that "percentages are leading that way" towards keeping Mahomes sidelined, though he stopped short of ruling out appearances in the second or third preseason game entirely. The decision follows Mahomes' torn ACL and LCL suffered in December during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Mahomes underwent surgery in December and has spent the offseason recovering. He has been cleared for training camp and has performed well in practice sessions. Reid cited the risk of unnecessary setback before the regular season opener against Denver as a primary concern. Holding Mahomes out also allows the Chiefs to evaluate other quarterbacks and roster contenders during exhibition matches, which serve as crucial testing grounds for bubble players and younger competitors seeking regular-season experience.

Opinion among supporters appears divided on the approach. Several fans supported Reid's caution given Mahomes' recent knee surgery, with one stating the risk was "not worth" taking in meaningless games. Others argued that Mahomes requires live-game reps before facing Denver in Week 1, and that testing the knee during preseason—even for limited snaps—would better prepare him for regular-season competition. Mahomes has never missed an entire preseason in his career.