Why Patrick Mahomes Isn’t Playing in the Chiefs’ Regular Season Finale Against the Broncos

Patrick Mahomes was kept out of the Kansas City Chiefs regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. 

Mahomes, 29, did not play in the Sunday, January 5, game after the Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs after their 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. 

With the game rendered meaningless from a standings perspective, the Chiefs decided not to risk having their superstar starting quarterback take any snaps. 

In his place, veteran backup Carson Wentz started the game at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High. 

“I’ve been through that before, so I’m not too worried about all that,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday, January 1 about sitting Mahomes. “It gives the other guys an opportunity here to grow and you can use everybody.”

Reid, 66, added, “The primary thing is to make sure that we stay sharp in all areas through this game and for the upcoming weeks … We want to stay sharp mentally and physically and then that’s our responsibility to do that and how we manage the time. I make sure I do that practice-wise and the guys go out, players and coaches, and work on that.”

Wentz, 32,  only attempted two passes this season as Mahomes’ backup, but said he was ready to meet the moment. 

“I’m going to prepare to go out there and win and then have a good performance with this offense,” Wentz told reporters on Wednesday. 

He continued, “I think it would be tremendous just getting reps. Obviously preseason is helpful, but that was even limited and seems like another lifetime ago already. This will definitely be helpful if needed in whatever capacity down the stretch there in the playoffs. But quite frankly, I’m just excited to get out there and play ball.”

The break also provides Mahomes the opportunity to continue healing an ankle injury he sustained in the Chiefs’ December 15 game against the Cleveland Browns. 

Mahomes left the game in the fourth quarter after being dragged down from behind by Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson while simultaneously being hit high by Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall. 

He was later seen being transported on a golf cart inside Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field and was initially questionable for the Chiefs game against the Houston Texans on December 21. 

Mahomes would ultimately start that game and throw for 260 yards, scoring both a passing and rushing touchdown in the 27-19 victory. 

The Chiefs will open their quest for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl when the NFL Divisional Playoffs begin on January 18.