The Kansas City Chiefs opted to hold Patrick Mahomes out of Saturday's preseason opener, only months removed from a torn ACL. While the quarterback's seven-month-long comeback remains incredible, there was no reason to rush a return to action, with Week 1 being the obvious return date for the three-time Super Bowl MVP.
Still, this didn't stop the KC legend from being incredibly engaged on the sideline; whether it was focusing on the quarterback play of his peers or waving for a challenge on a missed call, there was no question how much every game matters to Mahomes.
While Matthew Stafford didn't bother to show up to the preseason contest, Mahomes is on the sideline, engaged and doing everything he can to help teammates learn and improve from the summer action. This speaks to why Mahomes is already back on the practice field and defying expectations when it comes to an injury that was once expected to sideline the veteran for far longer.
Mahomes is obsessed with every phase of the game and only interested in doing whatever is going to make the team better and give the Chiefs their best chance to win. It takes a healthy level of obsession to reach this level of greatness, and that was yet again clear on the sideline Saturday.
Patrick Mahomes was buzzing around the Chiefs sideline Saturday afternoon, encouraging his teammates as KC prepares for another Super Bowl season
The Chiefs star had every reason to sit on the bench and take it easy, embracing an already cemented role and focusing on snaps that count. Instead, Mahomes was locked in from the start and provided a clear source of energy and input.
Kansas City should continue to prepare for an eye-popping season from the legend who has spent much of the last year and this offseason being disrespected. Pundits have taken the lack of offensive support as a regression from the quarterback, rather than as evidence that the cast needed wasn't in place and Mahomes was being forced to play a different brand of football to give the franchise its best chance at contending.
For the Chiefs, the preseason activity from Mahomes continues to excite a fanbase that once again feels underrated and forgotten. Returning to Super Bowl greatness means doing all of the little things at a high level, and this starts in camp and preseason, as evidenced by this level of focus and engagement.
It will be entertaining to continue to watch Kansas City's signal-callers in the preseason and whether or not Mahomes is able to force his way onto the field before Week 1.
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