In a major boost for the Chiefs, Super Bowl LVIII MVP Patrick Mahomes is set to headline the preseason encounter against the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead. The three-time Super Bowl winner has been entrusted to play the first half, confirmed Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
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The Chiefs fans were disappointed during the last preseason game as the team lost against the Jaguars, with their star QB failing to get enough game time, attempting only four passes.
Speaking to reporters, Reid confirmed that all the starters, including Mahomes, will be deployed against the Lions in the entire first half of the upcoming game on Saturday.
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid said the plan is to play their starters, including Patrick Mahomes, for the entire first half of Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions. pic.twitter.com/HKN4btazO5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 15, 2024
It is surprising that Reid has decided to start Mahomes for the entirety of the first half, given that coaches try to keep their star players injury-free before the start of the regular season. Following Hollywood Brown’s sternoclavicular injury, which could sideline him for at least six weeks, Reid would hope for Mahomes to come out of the matchup unscathed.
However, the QB also needs to get some live-action reps in before he goes face-to-face with the Ravens in the first week of the regular season. Interestingly, the Chiefs started off their previous season with a loss to the Lions.
While the Chiefs are playing their starters, the Lions have adopted a contrasting strategy for the Arrowhead rematch.
Lions intend to rest starters against the Chiefs
The Detroit Lions defense, already dealing with a significant number of injuries, will have their hands full when they take on Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Speaking to 97.1 The Ticket on Wednesday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell made it clear that the team doesn’t intend to play many starters against the Chiefs. This decision is despite their 14-3 loss against the New York Giants last week:
“We may get a couple of (starting) d-linemen going here against the Chiefs that didn’t play last week. Offense is probably pretty set here. The long and short of it, maybe a couple of guys. That’s about it,” Campbell explained.
With Detroit Lions opting to test their reserve strength, the upcoming clash is now between a full-strength Chiefs and a half-strength Lions. While the result is unlikely to produce an impact on the NFL points table, it will serve as an important test for the Lions’ secondary depth, as they aim to contain one of the league’s most powerful offenses.
