Here's why Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes likes to play during the preseason
Most starting quarterbacks will be warming the bench on the sideline during the 2023 NFL preseason as a means to avoid injury, but not Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. The entire first-string offense, including Mahomes, will get roughly a quarter of play in preseason Week 1 according to Chiefs HC Andy Reid. Mahomes could certainly […]
Most starting quarterbacks will be warming the bench on the sideline during the 2023 NFL preseason as a means to avoid injury, but not Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.
The entire first-string offense, including Mahomes, will get roughly a quarter of play in preseason Week 1 according to Chiefs HC Andy Reid. Mahomes could certainly sit out if he wanted to, but he actually is the reason behind his playing during the preseason.
And the reason he likes to play, well, that's enough to make all of the fans in Kansas City cringe.
"It's just getting that, I always say, that first hit," Mahomes told reporters on Friday. "You want to get hit where it's not too hard, but you can feel it. You go through that long offseason of working through the pocket and knowing that guys are rushing you, but they can't touch you. So, it's just different when you get into the game and you're able to get tackled and everything like that."
Yes, Mahomes likes getting hit during the preseason.
He likes at least one good hit, to remind him of what it's like to get hit as a quarterback in the NFL after a long offseason where he's had to wear a yellow non-contact jersey. That's the crux of it for Mahomes. It's a form of mental preparation to get him ready for the number of hits and sacks he'll endure throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Mahomes also likes to get a few successful drives together to let him know that they're set up for success.
"I like to have at least one to two drives under my belt to say that, 'I'm ready to go,'" Mahomes said. "And (know) that we're doing the right things. Coach (Andy Reid) he allows me to do that. He allows me to get in there."
This year, in particular, there is another part of the preseason that Mahomes is looking forward to. He wants to get some snaps with his new bookend tackles, Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor, so he can better learn about their strengths and weaknesses.
"Having these new tackles, it'll be good to kind of get a feel for them as well," Mahomes said. "They've done great in training camp so far and I'm excited for them to go out and get an opportunity in a real game."
You can't keep a competitor from Mahomes away from the football field for too long and the preseason provides him with a taste of what he's been yearning for all offseason. Even though he likes to get hit, rest assured he'll be doing his best to protect himself, all while using the preseason as an acclimation tool with the regular season in mind.
Chiefs WR Skyy Moore ready to catch Patrick Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass
Skyy Moore caught it in team drills at practice, but he’s ready for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes to unleash the real thing.
Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
