Patrick Mahomes will not play when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Los Angeles Rams in their 2026 NFL preseason opener on Saturday, August 15. The Chiefs are keeping their star quarterback out as he continues his recovery from the left knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Head coach Andy Reid has also not committed to using Mahomes in either of the Chiefs’ remaining preseason games. Instead, Justin Fields is expected to start against the Rams, with Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun also set to get snaps. The Chiefs’ main focus is having Mahomes ready for the regular season.
He has made clear progress during training camp and has already returned to 11-on-11 work. Because the Chiefs are taking a careful approach with his return after he tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee late last season, mahomes is sitting out. The Chiefs’ official website reported that Mahomes looked strong during practice, but the team is not rushing him into a preseason game.
“I don’t know if I’ll play him the second or third game, I don’t know that, but the percentages likely lean against doing that,” he told reporters. “We’ve got new people in those other positions behind him that need some work, and so the more reps they get, the better.”
Reid explained the thinking behind the decision earlier this month.
Nussmeier threw 41 touchdowns during his final two seasons with LSU and enters the preseason competing for the No. 3 quarterback job. That means Mahomes could remain on the sideline throughout the preseason. For Kansas City, the bigger goal is getting its starting quarterback ready for the regular season rather than giving him game reps in August . The Chiefs have already been giving Fields a chance to work with the offense, and Saturday gives him a full preseason game to build on that work. The Chiefs’ official website lists Fields as the leading option behind Mahomes, while Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun are competing for the next spot. Chris Oladokun has more experience in Kansas City and returns for his fifth year with the team. Here’s what we know about Travis Kelce’s wife’s whereabouts The Kansas City Chiefs opened their NFL preseason campaign Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium. With the game carrying far less significance than a regular-season contest, her presence was already uncertain.
Earlier reporting noted: While Chiefs fans were eager to see Travis Kelce back around the team, even if only from the sideline, another question surrounding the matchup was whether his wife, pop superstar Taylor Swift, would be in attendance. Earlier reporting noted: Swift attended only Chiefs home games during the previous season, making Saturday’s preseason matchup a different situation. Earlier reporting noted: Is Taylor Swift attending the Chiefs game today vs Rams?
