The Kansas City Chiefs decided to play star offensive players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars that ended in a 26-13 loss for the Chiefs. Mahomes and Kelce exited the game unharmed , but the choice to play them raised questions online.
During warmups, Mahomes showcased his arm strength by launching an 80-yard pass, mostly giving a show to the fans. Despite his decorated career, which includes two league MVP awards, three Super Bowl victories, and six Pro Bowl selections, the Chiefs starting quarterback still took the field to lead Kansas City against Jacksonville .
In the opening series, Mahomes was accompanied by his go-to target, Kelce. Mahomes completed 3-of-4 passes for 27 yards, including an 11-yard connection with new acquisition Hollywood Brown on the first drive. The Chiefs capped off the drive with a field goal, after which Mahomes was pulled from the game to avoid unnecessary risk.
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Kelce, who caught one pass for seven yards, also saw limited action before giving way to younger players vying for a spot on the roster. Carson Wentz took over at quarterback following Mahomes’ exit but struggled to find a rhythm, leading the team to three consecutive punts before being replaced by Chris Oladokun, a seventh-round draft pick from 2022.
Oladokun immediately made an impact, leading the Chiefs down the field and setting up a one-yard rushing touchdown by Carson Steele, which tied the game at 10-10. The Chiefs continued to rotate quarterbacks, with Ian Book finishing the game in the fourth quarter.
Despite their efforts, none of the quarterbacks managed to throw a touchdown pass, with Oladokun leading the team in passing yards with 85. The decision to play Mahomes and Kelce, particularly Mahomes, was criticized by several NFL fans online.
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One fan expressed their concerns by writing, "Playing starters in the preseason might be the stupidest thing ever. The effectiveness of it is a myth." Another fan compared the situation to the San Francisco 49ers and responded, "Can you explain why Purdy didn’t play a single series in the preseason while the Chiefs played Mahomes? Why are we coddling our players?"
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has a history of giving his starters some preseason action to keep them sharp, but the move always carries an inherent risk of injury. Mahomes played a single drive during previous preseasons from 2019-2023.
Kelce has been active in the preseason as well, playing in 2018, 2019, 20212, 2022, and 2023. He played in all three games each season besides missing one in 2022.
Kansas City Chiefs 2024-25 preseason schedule
- Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars [8/10]
- Week 2: vs Detroit Lions [8/17]
- Week 3: vs Chicago Bears [8/22]
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