Kansas City Chiefs’ Head coach Andy Reid has made the decision to rest his starting players during this final regular season fixture.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the playoffs no matter what, locked in as the third seed. A win in the final regular season fixture against the Los Angeles Chargers will not improve their lot, nor will a loss diminish it.
So with no incentive to risk their starters in what is effectively a meaningless game, the decision was taken to rest Patrick Mahomes on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid announced in a press conference that Mahomes and other starters will not play against the Chargers because they have already secured the AFC West crown and their position in the playoffs cannot be changed in any way.
#Chiefs Andy Reid: “Pat (Mahomes) won’t play. Blaine (Gabbert) will take over at that spot” pic.twitter.com/lnsy9Kxizr
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) January 3, 2024
Whatever happens on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens will get the AFC bye and either the Miami Dolphins or the Buffalo Bills will be the second seed. The Chiefs are third, come hell or high water.
This decision means that the two-time NFL MVP has likely finished the 2023 season with 4,183 yards, 27 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions after completing 401 of the 597 passes he attempted. Mahomes’ fleet feet added 389 yards on the ground.
Who will be the Chiefs’ starting quarterback?
Reid said that Blaine Gabbert will start at quarterback against the Chargers. The University of Missouri graduate is a 12-year veteran who joined Kansas City after spending the past three seasons as Tom Brady’s backup in Tampa Bay.
Gabbert saw action this year against the Chicago Bears in Week 3, completing three of five passes for 31 yards, but giving up two picks.
