Per multiple reports, the Kansas City Chiefs ruled out quarter Patrick Mahomes for their Week 18 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. That will effectively end Mahomes’ regular season. According to Adam Schefter with ESPN, the Chiefs will give Blaine Gabbert the start.
With the Chiefs locked into the No. 3 seed, Patrick Mahomes will not play in Sunday’s regular-season finale vs. the Chargers and Blaine Gabbert will instead start.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2024
The Kansas City Chiefs take a risk by benching Mahomes
![BREAKING: Kansas City Chiefs Bench Patrick Mahomes For Rest Of Regular Season Amid Offensive Struggles 1 Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22079715_168400517_lowres-300x200.jpg)
The Chiefs are deciding to protect Mahomes health for the postseason since they’ll be the third seed in the AFC regardless of the outcome against the Chargers. This wouldn’t be a big deal for the Chiefs in previous seasons. Many teams, like the Cleveland Browns this season, rest starters for the playoffs when they’re locked into their seed.
However, benching Mahomes in Week 18 is controversial because of how the Chiefs are playing on offense this season. The Chiefs wide receivers lead the NFL in drops. There has been a noticeable lack of chemistry between Mahomes and the Chiefs’ pass-catching crew since September.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who is on the hot seat this month, said their worst offensive performance of the season came during their Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs played better offensively against the shorthanded Cincinnati Bengals on New Year’s Eve, but it’s still fair to question if Nagy, Mahomes, and the rest of the offense are in sync before the playoffs.
![BREAKING: Kansas City Chiefs Bench Patrick Mahomes For Rest Of Regular Season Amid Offensive Struggles 2 Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22127002-300x200.jpg)
They won’t have a chance to build momentum against the Chargers by sitting Mahomes. The Chiefs also don’t have to worry about losing their best player for the playoffs if Khalil Mack gets his paws on Mahomes.
Coaches find themselves screwed every year at the end of the regular season with this conundrum. Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was heavily criticized for losing Bradley Chubb for the playoffs due to an ACL injury he suffered late in their blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
By benching him this week, Andy Reid has decided Mahomes’ health is more important than getting in rhythm for the playoffs. They have to hope that decision won’t cause a quick exit in the Wild Card round.
![BREAKING: Kansas City Chiefs Bench Patrick Mahomes For Rest Of Regular Season Amid Offensive Struggles 3 Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22127103-300x200.jpg)
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4 Comments
You create drama
MVB = Most Valuable Benchee!
I see a new State Farm ad in the near future
Two words, one man, Eric Bieniemy. He took their offense with him.
Are u that hard up for a story muct be a cowboys fan lol