The Kansas City Chiefs open their 2025 preseason schedule on Saturday night when they take their show on the road to square off against the Arizona Cardinals.
With just three preseason games on the docket this year, the decisions teams are making regarding which regular starters suit up and participate in these exhibitions are as intriguing as ever. While fans across the NFL wait to see what path their favorite team elects to follow, Chiefs supporters now know exactly who will be under center with the first team offense when it takes the field.
According to Chiefs senior team reporter Matt McMullen, Andy Reid announced on Thursday morning that Patrick Mahomes will get the start and play the first quarter before being relieved by Gardner Minshew and the rest of the signal-callers in camp with Kansas City.
Coach Reid says each quarterback (and their respective units) will get a quarter of work on Saturday night.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) August 7, 2025
Andy Reid Announces Patrick Mahomes Will Play in Preseason Opener
A player like Mahomes likely doesn't need the amount of reps during preseason matchups that the rest of the quarterbacks on the roster will. Allowing him to get on the field and go against live competition will be beneficial for Mahomes. The most important thing the Chiefs need to do regarding his usage in these exhibitions, though, is ensuring the former MVP is healthy for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
One of the things fans should keep an eye on Saturday night is the connection between Mahomes and his receivers, specifically those further down the roster who may only receive a handful of opportunities to get on the field with the first team offense.
The other focus for Kansas City's coaching staff and fan base is how the offensive line looks in front of Mahomes. While plenty has been said to this point about the talent that first-round pick Josh Simmons possesses, he is still a rookie LT going against NFL competition for the first time in his career. The rapport Simmons builds with Mahomes now will go a long way toward helping this offense move up and down the field when it matters most.
With all of that being said, it will be exciting for Chiefs fans to see their superstar QB in the huddle and making the type of jaw-dropping plays others wouldn't even think of attempting, look routine. The biggest thing they should want to see out of Mahomes on Saturday night is him leaving the game as healthy as he started it.