Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced a surprise decision regarding quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce ahead of Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

NFL teams generally give their star players little playing time (or none at all) during the preseason, wanting to minimize the risk of injury. But on Thursday, Reid announced an interesting decision involving Patrick Mahomes and his key players.

Per Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride, Reid said the Chiefs’ first team will play the first half against Detroit. Sweeney added that it will be the last preseason action Mahomes sees.

Mahomes saw limited playing time in last week’s preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing three of four pass attempts for 27 yards. Kelce caught one pass for seven yards in the contest, a 26-13 Jacksonville victory.

Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs will wrap up preseason play with a home tilt against the Chicago Bears next Thursday. They’ll then enjoy a two-week break before kicking off the 2024 season with a home tilt against reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5.

This will be a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, which Kansas City won by a final score of 17-10 en route to a second straight Super Bowl championship. Mahomes owns a 4-1 record against Lamar’s Ravens, including a 2-0 mark at home.

Patrick Mahomes Should Be Even Better In 2024

2023 was Mahomes’ worst statistical season since taking over as the starting quarterback in 2018. He threw for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and a career-high 14 interceptions, and Kansas City finishedd with an 11-6 record that also marked their worst finish in the Mahomes era.

And yet, the Chiefs still came out on top as Super Bowl champions. And to think Mahomes will be even better this year with Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown and Xavier Worthy joining an offense that already features Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco.