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Kansas City Chiefs
Aug 9, 2025 5:52 PM EDT
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid turned quite a few heads earlier this week when he announced that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes would start the team’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday night.
Not only that, but Reid also clarified that the two-time MVP would play a significant amount of time as well — a seemingly controversial decision given the risk of injury to a high-profile player like Mahomes.
‘The quarterbacks…they’ll each get a quarter,” Reid stated, via Chiefs Digest. “The first one will be Pat, the second one (will be Gardner) Minshew, then (Bailey) Zappe, then Chris (Oladokun) at the end there.”
Mahomes played sparingly in two of the Chiefs’ three preseason games last year.
He completed 3 of 4 passes for 27 yards while playing just one series in KC’s first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he completed 8 of 14 passes for 93 yards while playing two series in the second preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) points to tight end Travis Kelce (87) after a play at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) points to tight end Travis Kelce (87) after a play at Arrowhead Stadium. — Source: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Mahomes admitted that he was actually glad to be playing more than a series or two given how his last game ended—Kansas City’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX back in February that dashed the team’s pursuit of being the first franchise to win three straight Super Bowls—leaving him champing at the bit to get back out there and redeem himself.
As Mahomes arrived at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, an hour-and-a-half before kickoff, the Chiefs posted a video of their star QB’s arrival while also giving him a discussion-worthy new nickname as well.
“Polo Patrick is here 💯,” the Chiefs wrote on X.
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The team’s tweet caught the attention of many of their fans, several of whom took to the comment section to celebrate Mahomes’ arrival.
“My QB1 really has the aura, [expletive] 🏈❤️💛,” one fan wrote.
“Insane aura,” another fan commented.
“My QB plays football today. yeeee,” a third fan proclaimed.
“That Super Bowl Loss got Patty going to his daddy barbershop … the league is cooked,” one user remarked.
“THE GOAT,” exclaimed anther user.
About the Author
Michael Gallagher
Editor, Athlon Sports