Kansas City’s preseason opener on August 9 against the Arizona Cardinals followed a now-familiar script. Head coach Andy Reid had assured fans that Patrick Mahomes would take snaps in the first quarter. But just like previous years, Mahomes was pulled almost immediately, this time after a single pass, a one-yard touchdown, and just 48 seconds on the field.
Mahomes, trying to hide his frustration, called the brief appearance “a little bit of a bummer.” His disappointment was echoed by fans and commentators alike. For Mahomes, preseason isn’t about stats or scores, it’s about shaking off the rust.
He believes getting hit (lightly) and feeling in-game pressure is essential for preparing mentally and physically for the regular season. “You want to kind of get hit, not hit hard… Just enough to feel like you’re in real football again,” he explained.
Andy Reid, of course, had valid reasons for limiting his star quarterback. The Chiefs scored early, avoided major injuries, and left the field healthy-a key goal during preseason. But while Reid played it safe, Mahomes left wanting more. With the sting of the Super Bowl LIX loss still fresh, the quarterback is hungry to ramp up his game and return to peak form. This season, he’s not just preparing, he’s chasing redemption.
Family energy and a fierce promise to Chiefs Kingdom
Even from the sidelines, Mahomes remained fully engaged. He huddled with offensive players, offered input to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and even rushed to support injured teammate Deon Bush, showcasing leadership beyond the stat sheet.
The Mahomes family also brought their signature energy. His brother Jackson fired off a bold “GO TIMEEE” on social media just before kickoff, continuing his role as Patrick’s loudest supporter. Meanwhile, their mother, Randi, shared a heartfelt photo of Mahomes cradling his son Bronze, captioned with pride and anticipation.
The moment underscored how deeply rooted Mahomes’ motivation is, not just in football, but in family.
With another preseason matchup looming against the Seahawks on August 15, Mahomes made a quiet but clear promise. “I’m sure I’ll get a couple more snaps as the preseason goes on… hopefully a couple more drives,” he said. The message? He’s not content watching from the sidelines. Chiefs fans can expect to see No. 15 take the field with greater urgency and intensity in the coming weeks.
In a season where expectations are sky-high and the stakes even higher, Mahomes is ready to fight for every snap, and maybe even rewrite how the Chiefs handle preseason altogether.
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