Chiefs coach Andy Reid plans to let his starters play the first quarter in Saturday night’s preseason opener at Jacksonville. Patrick Mahomes, however, might play less than that.
The Chiefs quarterback played one series (six snaps) in last year’s preseason opener, and typically hasn’t played more than a series or two in past preseason openers.
“I allow him to get in the swing of things,” Reid said Wednesday at training camp in St. Joe, Mo. “The ones know how to do that, both sides of the ball. They know how to go about doing that. Somewhere you got to get on there and shoot, and this gives him an opportunity to do that.”
Reid said the twos will play the second quarter, the threes the third and the fours the fourth quarter. Mahomes said he’s looking forward to getting back on the field and getting hit by a defender.
“I always want to get hit but not hit hard,” Mahomes said. “So, if I can just throw the ball and one of those D-ends wants to just give me a little push, that’s all I need. It’s cool, I like playing in the preseason honestly.
“Getting in there, trying to make sure that we’re doing stuff the right way and then getting out. Trying to keep everybody healthy and then playing the sport that I love. So I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Mahomes is also looking forward to seeing what rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy can do in his first preseason game.
“He does a great job,” Mahomes said. “Obviously he’s fast, but it’s almost like he runs fast, but he can run with pace fast, and so he’s able to track the ball really well. He runs a lot of great routes and he’s going to get as physical camp as any here.
“He’s done a great job trying to fight off press as best as he can, getting through there, making plays happen. And he’ll keep getting better and better. I mean, if he can get through this camp, he’ll be able to get through a lot of stuff. So I’m excited for him and how he’s progressed throughout camp.”
Mahomes will also get the chance to see how rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia plays. Suamataia has been working with the starters and was listed as the starting left tackle on the team’s first official depth chart.
“You got to just trust that he’s going to go out there and make the plays happen,” Mahomes said. “He’s doing a great job this camp, going against a lot of different types of rushers. Obviously, it’s going to be a great challenge. I don’t know how much their starters are going to play but him going up against some of the best is going to even bring out the best in him and that’s what you have to expect.”