Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs starters to play in first quarter of first preseason game

Patrick Mahomes, the two-time Super Bowl MVP, wants to play in a meaningless preseason road game against the Saints.

He has his reasons. It’s about sustaining that just right pop from a defense. He hasn’t felt real contact since the final series against the Eagles in the Super Bowl. We’ll let him explain.

“It’s getting that first — I always say, that first hit.” Patrick Mahomes told reporters, Friday. “You want to get hit where it’s not too hard, but you can feel it. You go through a long offseason of working through the pocket and knowing that guys are rushing, but they can’t touch you. So, it’s just different when you get in the game and you’re able to get tackled and everything like that.

“And I like to have at least one to two drives under my belt to say I’m ready to go,” he said. “We’re doing the right things. And coach Reid, he allows me to do that, he allows me to get in there.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed that he’d play his starters for at least the first quarter. Some coaches prefer to keep their first-teamers on the bench, but Reid doesn’t share that mind set. He wants a gradual buildup for his star player.

“Just getting into the flow,” Reid said as to why he wanted Mahomes to play. “Going through warmups, the juices are going a little bit, more than what they do in practice. It’s a gradual ramp-up.”

However, Reid did confirm that five starters would not play in New Orleans. They are running back Isiah Pacheco, defensive tackle Turk Wharton, tight end Jody Fortson, receiver Kadarius Toney and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

Meanwhile, speaking of those hits, Patrick Mahomes also wants to get some live-action snaps with new tackles Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor. Smith signed with the Chiefs after playing for Tampa Bay for eight seasons. Taylor played for the Jaguars. Orlando Brown, who defended Mahomes’ blind side for the past twos seasons, now is with the Bengals. Andrew Wylie left the Chiefs for the Commanders, leaving KC to recast for key offensive linemen.

“Adding the new tackles, it’ll be good to kind of get a feel for them as well,” Patrick Mahomes said. “I mean, they’ve done great in training camp so far and I’m excited for them to get that opportunity to go out in a real game.”

Fans who watch the game are in for a treat. Derek Carr also will be taking his first snaps with the Saints. New Orleans signed Carr back in March from the Raiders. And Sunday marks the first time Carr will play in a preseason game since 2019.