FILE PHOTO: Jul 27, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks to the field before training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be under center in the team’s preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, coach Andy Reid announced Thursday.
Reid told reporters that the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year is expected to play in the first quarter of Saturday’s game before being replaced by backup Chad Henne.
The decision to play Mahomes comes with an element of risk, as many NFL teams often opt against putting stars in position to sustain an injury in an exhibition game.
Mahomes threw for 50 touchdowns and 5,097 yards in his first season as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018 and led Kansas City to the AFC Championship Game. His 50 TD passes led the league, and only Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (5,129) threw for more yards.
The 23-year-old Mahomes averaged 318.6 yards per game passing and completed 66 percent of his passes.
Mahomes also became the second Chief to win offensive POY, joining running back Priest Holmes (2002).
—Field Level Media