The Kansas City Chiefs made headlines recently by deciding to rest their star players, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, during their final regular-season game against the Denver Broncos. With the playoffs on the horizon and the team already securing the top seed on the AFC side, head coach Andy Reid deemed it important to prioritize player health over the outcome of Week 18.
Patrick Mahomes, viewed not only as the face of the franchise but also as one of the league's premier quarterbacks, is coming off an ankle sprain sustained during Week 15. He managed to play through the pain for two consecutive weeks to help the Chiefs secure their position as the No. 1 seed. Alexander Reid, Kansas City's head coach, stated, "It wasn’t a hard decision. I’m not too worried [about Mahomes losing rhythm]. It gives the other guys an opportunity to grow." This sentiment reflects the head coach's priorities as they eye their goal of becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
Reid made it clear earlier this week about resting Mahomes, waiting until just over an hour before kick-off to confirm the decision publicly. Alongside Mahomes, star tight end Kelce and key defensive player Chris Jones were also listed among the inactive players against the Broncos. While this means the Chiefs could face the chance of missing some stats for the players, such as Mahomes not crossing the 4,000 passing yard mark this season, the greater picture is clearer for Reid: keeping players injury-free for the playoffs is pivotal.
For backup quarterback Carson Wentz, this game marks his first significant playing time since last season. He expressed his readiness and enthusiasm to step up for the Chiefs, stating, "I’m going to prepare to go out there and win and then have a good performance with this offense." Wentz's confidence will be tested as he attempts to lead the Chiefs against the Broncos’ defense.
With Kansas City’s playoff berth confirmed through their strong 15-1 record, their remaining games carry little weight for themselves but significant stakes for their opponents. The Broncos, entering Week 18 with hopes to clinch one of the last playoff spots, need this win desperately. Therefore, the Chiefs may be providing the perfect opportunity for Denver to achieve their playoff dreams.
Mahomes' absence is not just about resting bruised bodies but ensuring as much readiness and health for the grueling playoff stretch beginning January 18. Reid has adopted this approach before and stands firm on his choice to allow Mahomes to recover fully before they gear up to enter the Divisional round as the strongest AFC team.
It's not merely about this one game. The Chiefs are focusing on creating the best chances throughout the playoffs, taking no risks with injuries or player fatigue. Other prominent names besides Mahomes and Kelce on the inactive list include running back Isiah Pacheco and cornerback Trent McDuffie, underlining Reid's strategy for using their bench strength and depth effectively during this transitional period. The Chiefs must balance between maintaining secondary player development and retaining their primary players’ health—a tightrope walk of sorts.
Another layer to the Chiefs’ decision allegedly stems from their chaotic travel plans to Denver. Thanks to the snowstorm leading to multiple delays, the Chiefs were forced to navigate numerous obstacles before finally touchdowning at their destination. This travel turmoil may have influenced their decision-making, emphasizing the need for stability and rest once they did arrive.
With pivotal postseason dates approaching and high hopes resting on their successful playoff push, resting Mahomes and Kelce may prove to be to the Chiefs’ advantage. Kansas City will assert their readiness to battle for the Super Bowl with their eyes firmly set on potential history as they seek a victory with Mahomes commanding the field once again.