Patrick Mahomes has been the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback since taking over the job in 2018, helping transform the franchise into one of the NFL’s most successful teams. An ACL and LCL tear suffered in December initially cast doubt on whether Mahomes would be healthy enough to lead Kansas City into the 2026 season. But his recovery has gone according to plan.
Mahomes has participated fully in training camp and has his eyes set on starting the Chiefs’ regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos. However, he is expected to take on the role he has held for nearly a decade without appearing in a preseason game.
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Head coach Reid ruled Mahomes out for Friday’s matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. It marks the third straight preseason game he has missed and the first time in his career he will go through an entire scheduled preseason without playing.
Reid instead plans to use the finale to evaluate the quarterback depth behind Mahomes before the Chiefs must trim their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Ahead of the game against Seattle, Reid confirmed that rookie Garrett Nussmeier will start and could play the entire game after Chris Oladokun, who was initially expected to share snaps with him, entered the concussion protocol. Reid also told reporters that Justin Fields will need to “keep his arm loose” in case he is needed (h/t Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest).
The latest development creates an intriguing opportunity for Nussmeier, who has impressed during his first preseason. The seventh-round pick has completed 22 of 36 passes for 172 yards in two games, while Fields has completed 13 of 16 passes for 105 yards and added 24 rushing yards. Fields remains the experienced option after joining Kansas City from the New York Jets this offseason, but Nussmeier has made a strong case for the QB2 role.
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The Chiefs will close the preseason against Seattle at 8 p.m. ET Friday at Arrowhead Stadium. With Mahomes and several other key players sitting out, the game will give Kansas City one final chance to evaluate its depth before roster cuts. The Chiefs open the regular season on Sept. 14.
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