Patrick Mahomes to make debut for Chiefs
On Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told the gathered media that Alex Smith would not be starting under center for his team in Week 17. Instead, it would be Patrick Mahomes getting the call in the meaningless tilt against the Denver Broncos.
For the Chiefs, the situation couldn’t be much better. Denver has a terrific defense that should be out to prove a point in its final game of 2017, but outside of that, Reid and Co. have a perfect spot to get the rookie some looks. Mahomes has not played a single snap this year unlike his other first-round counterparts in Deshaun Watson and Mitch Trubisky, but he’ll get valuable tape against the Broncos to help him prepare for a likely starting role in 2018.
Patrick Mahomes will start on Sunday against the Broncos, per Andy Reid.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) December 27, 2017
Mahomes looked brilliant in the postseason and had high marks in training camp. Since then, Kansas City has put him on ice and rightfully so, with Smith throwing for 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the franchise to consecutive Western Division titles for the first time in its history.
Now, the Chiefs will get a glimpse into what could be in the foreseeable future. Kansas City would be wise to play its starting lineup in terms of the offensive line, giving him a fighting chance. The Broncos might only have five wins but they can rush the passer, especially in the person of outside linebacker Von Miller.
Mahomes won’t have the luxury of throwing to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, or handing off to Kareem Hunt in all likelihood. So what should we be looking for if not stats? The simple answer is traits. Kansas City’s coaching staff will be looking to see him going through progressions, avoiding interceptions and continuing to improve his footwork.
Kansas City should call a diverse set of plays as well. Make Mahomes throw a litany of different routes and force him to read different route combinations. The Chiefs have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this contest by allowing Mahomes to put a full display on film for both he and the coaches, something that can be used as a teaching tool.
As for the fans, the Chiefs faithful should be thrilled. If Mahomes can find a way to beat the Broncos, this would be the first Kansas City win with a quarterback it drafted since 1987 when Todd Blackledge turned the trick. If Mahomes turns out to be a great one, this is the beginning of an era, something Chiefs fans really haven’t had at that position since the days of Len Dawson in the 1960s and 70s.
For once, a meaningless Week 17 game is anything but.
