After concluding the 2024-25 NFL season with a challenging defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles, Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs are eager to kick off the preseason with momentum. They aim to secure a victory in their opening matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Although both Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray appear to be injury-free, fans are buzzing with speculation about whether both team stars will take the field for this anticipated clash.
In preseason games, NFL head coaches tend not to risk their star players spending too much time on the field, aiming to avoid serious injuries that could alter the season’s trajectory. However, Andy Reid has not been one of those coaches who sideline its stars for the entire preseason. For that reason, fans are eagerly expecting Patrick Mahomes to take the field today.
Considering that the Cardinals are up against one of the best teams from last season, head coach Jonathan Gannon would want to field his strongest lineup. However, Kyler Murray’s participation remains uncertain for fans, given that the head coach did not give much preseason action to some starters in the past two years.
Will Patrick Mahomes play today against Cardinals preseason game?
Before the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Andy Reid confirmed that the quarterback Patrick Mahomes would make an appearance in their first preseason game. However, he surprised many by unveiling the strategy he plans to employ with the superstar at the quarterback position.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts prior to Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“We situate it off the quarterbacks. They’ll each get a quarter. So, the first one will be Pat (Patrick Mahomes), second will be (Gardner) Minshew, then (Bailey) Zappe, then Chris (Oladokun) at the end. Each on gets a quarter, and then everyone follows that as we go,” Andy Reid said, via Kansas City Chiefs website.
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Furthermore, Andy Reid also confessed that the first preseason game will be useful to follow rookies performances ahead the 2025-26 NFL season. “It’s important that they get it. They’ll be in front of some bright lights, and it takes it up one more notch. It’s not quite the (regular) season, but you’re still in front of a big crowd and going against another team.”
Will Kyler Murray play today against Chiefs preseason game?
Although head coach Jonathan Gannon of the Arizona Cardinals typically rests his starters during the preseason, this time he has taken a different approach. Before their matchup against the Chiefs, Gannon announced that Kyler Murray and all the starters will take the field today. He also elaborated on the rationale behind this decision, marking a notable shift in his preseason strategy.
“I told them (Starters) night they are going to play. It’s the best thing for our team this year, honestly. We are at a good point with our health, we’re at a good point with our development, and I think this year with our team it’s the best thing to do for our guys,” Jonathan Gannon said on Tuesday, via Cardinals website.
