While many of the NFL’s top quarterbacks have sat out of their team’s respective preseason slates, Patrick Mahomes has suited up and played in both of the Kansas City Chiefs exhibition contests. The 2018 MVP and Super Bowl LIV champ has had no problem following the plan of head coach Andy Reid, who feels that playing in the preseason is extremely important for his quarterback and the rest of his team.
Reid spoke about why he continues to trot out Mahomes for the Chiefs’ exhibition games earlier this week. He cited the importance of giving his 25-year-old star quarterback a feel for his offensive line and vice versa.
“I think it’s good for Pat, but I also think it’s good for the offensive line and Pat to see how that’s going to work and get a feel for them, and for them to get a feel for him likewise,” Reid told reporters Monday, via CBS Sports. “We’ve got some young guys, so I left them in with Chad (Henne) so they could get a little bit more extended work there. We’ve got two veterans on the left side, but all five of them are new, so you need to play and this gives us that opportunity.”
Mahomes played 33 snaps in the Chiefs second preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, while other veterans like Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and even other young players like Josh Allen haven’t even sniffed the field this August. Although the 2018 MVP looked a bit rusty (10-for-18, 78 yards and one interception), Reid still felt strongly about his decision to play his starting quarterback alongside the other first-teamers.
Andy Reid plays Patrick Mahomes a lot in the preseason — for a superstar QB.
There’s a method to the madness >>#Chiefshttps://t.co/HbfWsFgGk4
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) August 23, 2021
Reid was still noncommittal when asked if he plans to play Mahomes in the Chiefs third and final preseason game this upcoming week. Still, giving his starter a chance to take the field in two of the three exhibitions should have the coaching staff feeling good ahead of this fall.
Kansas City closes out the preseason on Friday against the Minnesota Vikings before taking on the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.
The post Andy Reid Shares 1 Reason For Patrick Mahomes Playing In Preseason appeared first on The Spun.
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