Patrick Mahomes Goes ‘One And Done’ in Chiefs’ 20-17 Loss in Preseason Opener vs. Cardinals

The NFL preseason provides opportunities of all shapes and sizes, with game plans and intended playing time always etched lightly in pencil on a coach’s prep sheet. Anything can happen to dictate whether those plans are followed during a game.

For players on the Kansas City Chiefs, the Andy Reid-led team beginning their quest for a fourth-straight Super Bowl appearance, that is a reality for both wide-eyed rookies and former league MVPs.

The head coach forecasted that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was going to play the first quarter of the Chiefs’ eventual 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday.

He did … but he didn’t finish it.

Mahomes and the offense got rolling early. KC got the ball first in plus territory after the Cardinals fumbled the opening kickoff in their own red zone. Two plays later, KC was in the end zone.

Mahomes went 1/1 with a one-yard touchdown to receiver Jason Brownlee before being subbed out before the second drive.

Kansas City’s defense had a knack for attacking the football, forcing three turnovers. As both teams battled in a tight game, might Mahomes return for some action in a competitive environment?

Nope. But that is OK with us. Just a “one and done”, or a “triple single”, if you will.

One completion, one yard, one touchdown. We can’t say we’ve seen such a stat line from a player of Mahomes’ caliber, but it doesn’t get much more efficient than that.

The Chiefs obviously aren’t worried about their quarterback situation going into a new season, so prioritizing health over reps is key for Mahomes now that he’s got a small taste of game action under his belt in preseason.

About his backups? Things weren’t great as veteran Gardner Minshew and youngsters Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun led offenses that were largely stagnant.

Zappe saw the majority of snaps, finishing 8/17 with 70 passing yards and two interceptions. Minshew went 6/9 for 54 yards with a scamper touchdown run, the Chiefs second and final touchdown, in the second quarter. Oladokun (6/13, 39 yards) led the final two drives that both ended in punts, but did have a 26-yard run and chaotic completion after avoiding pressure.

Pat’s light workload isn’t a surprise, but maybe it was his comments about fearing getting hit that only kept him in for two plays in this preseason opener.

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t necessarily look forward to getting hit,” he said earlier this week about returning to full-speed football. “I always like getting hit once, but it’s still a shock. Going up against Spags [Steve Spagunolo] is always tough [in practice], but it’ll be a good [Cardinals] defense that we’re going up against, and they have a great scheme and a great coach.

“I’m just excited to see where we’re at. Go out there, see where we’re at, get hopefully a couple series and get go out there and then play some good football.”

Where he’s at?

Well, we never saw “a couple series”, so it isn’t enough to believe anything other than what we already know about the best QB of this generation. He’ll be just fine.

Around him?

There are some concerns, but Reid hopes to keep Mahomes healthy – as he’s seemed to stay throughout his career – to avoid any future worries regarding playing a backup.

This uncertain QB2 situation is also something of the norm for the Chiefs, as Mahomes has had a carousel of backups in recent years. Minshew is the fourth unique backup in as many years after Chad Henne, Blaine Gabbert and Carson Wentz.

The Chiefs’ next preseason game – and opportunity for Mahomes to add to his sweat-free season so far – is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. CT at the Seattle Seahawks.