Patrick Mahomes finds himself in unfamiliar territory as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for the 2026 NFL season.
After suffering a season-ending torn ACL last year, the star quarterback has been cleared for full participation in practice. Yet head coach Andy Reid has strongly indicated that Mahomes will sit out the team’s three preseason games entirely.
Such a move would mark the first time in Mahomes’ career that he has been held completely out of preseason action, as the organization prioritizes keeping his surgically repaired knee fresh for the regular season.
Mahomes, for his part, has made it clear that he is prepared to accept whatever decision Reid ultimately makes.
Speaking to reporters this week, the former league MVP emphasized his willingness to defer to the coaching staff’s judgment while remaining ready to compete if called upon.
“I’m for whatever coach says,” Mahomes said. “Like I said, I’m going to prepare to play. He hasn’t told me anything, so I’ll prepare to play and prepare to get myself ready. We’ll see where we go from there and if not, I’ll be as locked in as I am during the game and try to get myself as ready to go [as possible] for the game. It’s just a process of trying to make sure you’re ready for the season and whatever coach thinks is best, I’ll do it.”
He acknowledged that sitting out the preseason would be new for him.
“I don’t know, I haven’t done it before,” Mahomes added of the possibility. “But I’ll be ready to play, I know that. That’s just how you have to go about it — whenever the opportunity comes up to go out there and play football, you have to go out there and maximize it.”
The cautious approach reflects the Chiefs’ desire to protect their franchise cornerstone after last year’s injury. While Mahomes has looked strong in training camp, the team is taking no chances with his long-term health heading into what they hope will be another championship run.
Meanwhile, the preseason will offer opportunities for the quarterbacks behind Mahomes to establish a pecking order.
The Chiefs added veteran Justin Fields via trade and selected Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the draft, moves made when Mahomes’ recovery timeline remained uncertain.
Nussmeier has impressed observers early on, and many expect the team to keep the rookie on the active roster rather than risk losing him to waivers.
For Mahomes, the focus remains singular. Whether he takes a snap in the preseason or not, he intends to be fully prepared when the regular season arrives.
The Chiefs’ unprecedented plan for their quarterback underscores both the value they place on his health and the trust that exists between player and coach as Kansas City looks ahead to 2026.
