The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the Los Angeles Rams for their preseason opener on August 15. The spotlight is on quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 season. Concerns about his full recovery are influencing game decisions.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has stated that the team is likely to bench Mahomes throughout the preseason. Reid mentioned, ‘There’s a pretty good chance I don’t play him [against the Rams]. Percentages are leaning that way. I don’t know if I’ll play him the second or third game, I don’t know that, but the percentages likely lean against doing that.’
Reid emphasized that the team needs to focus on preparing their backup options. This season, Justin Fields serves as Mahomes’ primary backup. Fields, who joined the team through an offseason trade, needs time to adapt to the Chiefs’ system. Rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, a seventh-round draft pick, will also receive extra attention during these preseason games.
The Chiefs have two more preseason games lined up after the opener with the Rams. They will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. The regular season kicks off with a game against the Denver Broncos on September 14.
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