Chiefs coach Andy Reid indicated that several veterans could sit Friday night when Kansas City hosts the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason, as the team weighs how much to play its core players versus giving meaningful reps to young hopefuls.
There’s a strong likelihood Patrick Mahomes may not take the field, Reid said after Wednesday’s practice, as Kansas City prioritizes evaluating its younger players. He also confirmed that tight end Jake Briningstool, wide receiver Hollywood Brown, and offensive lineman Ethan Driskell will be sidelined for the game. Running back Kareem Hunt is dealing with a quad contusion and will be evaluated closer to game time.
The playing-time decision also factors in the club’s third preseason game, which could yield more snaps for the starters as the regular season approaches. “There’s a chance they play a little bit more in the third game,” Reid noted. He added that the third game will be the Chiefs’ only preseason matchup at Arrowhead this year.
Reid stressed the need to balance protecting veteran players from injury with giving meaningful reps to those competing for roster spots. “I want to get the young guys some good reps in this game,” he said, adding a nod to the front office and coaching staff: “You want to make sure you give Brett [Veach] enough to evaluate and the coaches to evaluate.”
What this means for fans is a window into the Chiefs’ depth assessment as they finalize the roster. The approach aims to keep key contributors healthy while sharpening competition for roles behind the starters, potentially shaping the final 53-man mix as the season opener looms. If the plan works, Kansas City could enter September with a clearer picture of its young talent and a roster built to hit the ground running.