How will Chiefs distribute playing time in preseason Week 1?
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Charles Goldman
The Kansas City Chiefs’ starting offense and defense will get some action in preseason Week 1, but it typically isn’t quite as intensive as Andy Reid suggests.
When he says that the first-, second-, third- and fourth-team units will each get a quarter, traditionally, it has been much less for the starters. Just last season Patrick Mahomes played 11 snaps and the starting O-Line played 16 snaps in preseason Week 1.
Ultimately, what Reid is looking for is a successful drive from Mahomes and the offense. If they can put that together, it’s possible that they’re only in there for a series. The starting offensive line worked a bit extra last season, giving Chad Henne a series to work behind them. That’s a possibility this year for Blaine Gabbert as well.
“In the preseason he’ll probably get a series each game with the first OL,” Former Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz wrote on Twitter (X). “Allows Coach to get Pat out quick after a good drive and to give the OL an extra series of work. Never know when that familiarity will come in handy. Like in the postseason with Chad over the last few years.”
Beyond the first-team and second-team, things tend to be a bit more cut-and-dry. Expect Shane Buechele and the third-team offense to get the third quarter and Chris Oladokun and the fourth-team offense to get the fourth quarter.
Chiefs ruled out of preseason Week1
Chiefs HC Andy Reid officially ruled out five players ahead of the preseason Week 1 tilt with the New Orleans Saints.
“The guys that will be out for this game are Turk (Tershawn Wharton), Jody (Fortson), L’Jarius (Sneed), and Kadarius (Toney),” Reid said. “Everybody else will be ready to go and play. . . (Isiah) Pacheco, yeah, he’d be another one. He won’t play.”
Sneed (knee), Toney (knee), and Fortson (shoulder) have all been absent from training camp with injuries. Pacheco (shoulder) and Wharton (knee) have been working back from their respective injuries, but neither has been cleared for full contact.
Reid did omit Chris Jones, but fans should get their hopes up there.
Patrick Mahomes & Andy Reid's message to young players
The preseason is one of the Chiefs’ main evaluation tools for the 90-man offseason roster. The coaches and evaluators get a chance to see if everything they saw in training camp practice matches in a real-game environment. So, what does Andy Reid tell everyone ahead of the game?
“Everybody’ll play,” Reid explained. “This game here, everybody will play, and they deserve that. They’ve earned that right; they’ve made it through this part of camp, and they’ve earned the right to get out there. Obviously, we can’t keep everybody, I tell them that, we can’t keep everybody so make the decision hard on (Chiefs General Manager) Brett (Veach), myself, and let’s go. We’re going to give you an opportunity though to get yourself on tape, so prepare and then go shine.”
As for Patrick Mahomes, his encouragement for the young players on the roster echoes that of the head coach.
“Cut it loose,” Mahomes said. “We throw so much at them in training camp. (Head) Coach (Andy Reid) and (Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Matt) Nagy and all the offensive staff and (Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve) Spagnuolo, they do a good job of simplifying it for the game. So, let’s go out there and play fast. Don’t worry about making a mistake, just go out there and fly around, let your natural talent and ability show. You’ve learned, you’ve been coached up, trust yourself.”
It’s certainly a powerful message from the reigning league MVP.
George Karlaftis has his eyes on young D-Linemen
Just a year ago, he was in their shoes, but now George Karlaftis will be the one keeping a watchful eye on the rookies from the sideline. He has quickly become a veteran in the room with a bit of a youth movement along the defensive line.
“I think for me mostly the defensive linemen,” Karlaftis said of who he’ll watch in preseason Week 1. “You know Felix (Anudike-Uzomah), BJ (Thompson), KC (Keondre Coburn), and Truman (Jones), all those guys man. They’ve been awesome and just seeing what it’s like. You know, you get to see them in practice every day, but just seeing them cut it loose and really get after it. It’s going to be exciting; I’m looking forward to watching them.”
What the rookies put on tape against the Saints will surely be a point of emphasis when the team gets back to St. Joseph, Missouri next week.
KC Laboratory - Chiefs vs. Saints NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview:
KCSN’s Kent Swanson and Craig Stout preview the Kansas City Chiefs Week 1 NFL Preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.
Quick Hits:
- Patrick Mahomes explained why he likes to play during the preseason.
- The latest on Chris Jones’ holdout, including information on the Chiefs’ contract offer.
- The Raiders signed Chiefs Super Bowl LIV hero Damien Williams, while the 49ers signed former Chiefs second-round pick Breeland Speaks
