The Kansas City Chiefs’ veterans have been through some battles over the past few seasons. Their experience in big moments and deep postseason runs have established what they bring to the team each year.
The success of the Chiefs since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback is well documented. He still values time on the field in preseason, regardless if it is limited out of caution. Mahomes spoke with the media on Friday after practice about how much he values preseason action.
“It’s just getting that first hit; you want to get hit where it’s not too hard,” Mahomes explained. “But you can feel it. I mean, you go through a long offseason of working through the pocket, and no one of the guys are rushing, but they can’t touch you. And so it’s just different when you get in the game, and you’re able to get tackled and everything like that.
“I like to have at least one or two drives under my belt to say that I’m ready to go, we’re doing the right things. And Coach [Andy] Reid allows me to do that, allows me to get in there, and add in the new tackles would be good to get a feel for them as well. I mean, they’ve done great in training camp so far. And I’m excited for them to get that opportunity to go out in a real game.”
The start of the preseason this Sunday may not count in the standings, but it will do wonders for the team’s morale. The youth on the team should benefit from more experience and better prepare the team chemistry in 2023.