The Kansas City Chiefs appeared to be heading into the season with Justin Fields as their starting quarterback with Patrick Mahomes sidelined, with Andy Reid giving an update on the latter's status
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made an interesting comments on their quarterbacks(Image: Getty Images)
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Andy Reid made a somewhat bizarre comment about his Kansas City Chiefs offense, naming Patrick Mahomes' back-up's as 'the other guys playing quarterback'.
The Chiefs have Mahomes under a long-term contract as their starting quarterback, but he is continuing to recover from his ACL tear which kept him out of the last month of the 2025 season. Kansas City had been projected to open the season without Mahomes, but he appears to be close to returning.
Should he not be able to go though, former New York Jets and Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is almost sure to be the guy, after being signed in free agency.
While some may see this as a shot towards their back-ups, what is developing is actually much more on an interesting story, with rookie Garrett Nussmeier impressing throughout training camp.
Fields has been in fine form in preseason for the Chiefs, but many fans are starting to believe that Nussmeier, a player who was once seen as a potential first-round pick, could be the long-term back-up for Mahomes.
Andy Reid gave an update on Patrick Mahomes
Andy Reid gave an update on Patrick Mahomes(Image: Getty)
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Reid was not ready to address that, but also did not name Fields as the back-up should Mahomes not be able to go.
Speaking on Mahomes' return, he said: "He's doing great. We'll just see. I'm literally taking it day by day.
"There are no predictions here on anything. But if the doctors and the trainers and everybody that are involved with this give him an OK — and then most of all, if he feels like he can, then we'll address that when we get there.
"But other than that, these other guys are playing quarterback and doing a nice job with it."
Mahomes has not suited up in preseason, but is said to be confident of being able to start in Week One in just a fortnight.
Garrett Nussmeier and Justin Fields could be battling to be Mahomes' back-up
Garrett Nussmeier and Justin Fields could be battling to be Mahomes' back-up
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The Chiefs open up their season against the Denver Broncos, who stole the AFC West crown from them for the first time in nine years, after Kansas City's nightmare year in 2025.
The streak had been the second-longest in NFL history, behind the New England Patriots winning the AFC North in 11 straight years from 2009 through 2019.
The AFC West looks to be tougher than ever this year, with both the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders both expecting to be much improved.