Patrick Mahomes
Nick Cammett/Getty ImagesPatrick Mahomes He was held out of the Kansas City Chiefs' regular season finale against the Denver Broncos.
Mahomes, 29, did not play in the game Sunday, Jan. 5, after the Chiefs secured the top seed in the AFC and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.
With the game becoming meaningless from a standings perspective, the Chiefs decided not to risk having their star starter take any snaps.
In his place, a veteran backup Carson Wentz The game began at Empower Field in Denver at Mile High.
“I've been through it before, so I'm not too worried about all that,” the Chiefs coach said Andy Reid He told reporters on Wednesday, January 1, about sitting Mahomes. “It gives the other players a chance here to grow and you can benefit from everyone.”
Patrick Mahomes
Cooper Neal/Getty ImagesReid (66 years old) added: “The main thing is to make sure that we maintain our fitness in all areas during this match and in the coming weeks… We want to remain mentally and physically alert and then it is our responsibility to do that and how we manage it.” the time. I make sure I do that through training and that guys, players and coaches go out and work on it.
The 32-year-old Wentz has only attempted two passes this season as Mahomes' backup, but he said he's ready to face the moment.
“I'm going to be prepared to go out there and win and then have a good performance in this offense,” Wentz told reporters on Wednesday.
He continued: “I think it will be huge just to get reps. Obviously the pre-season helps, but it was limited and feels like another lifetime ago already. This will certainly come in handy if needed in any capacity down the stretch of the playoffs. But honestly, I'm excited to get out there and play ball.”
The break also provides an opportunity for Mahomes To continue healing of an ankle injury He struggled in the Chiefs' December 15 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is to blame for the ankle injury suffered by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, according to NFL legend Mark Schlereth. Mahomes (29 years old) left the Chiefs' game against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter on Sunday, December 15, after injuring his right ankle. The two-time MVP suffered a sprained ankle (…)
Mahomes He left the game in the fourth quarter after being dragged down from behind by the Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson While at the same time being hit high by the Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall.
He was later seen being carried on a golf cart inside Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland and was initially questionable for the Chiefs' game against the Houston Texans on December 21.
Mahomes would eventually start that game and throw for 260 yards, scoring both a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the 27-19 win.
The Chiefs will open their quest for a third straight Super Bowl title when the NFL playoffs begin on January 18.
