Chiefs Set Preseason QB Plan: Mahomes Sidelined, Fields to Start vs. Buccaneers

Well, Chiefs Kingdom, get ready for a familiar yet slightly different look under center this weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs have officially announced their plans for the upcoming preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it means superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be sitting this one out. Instead, it’ll be Justin Fields leading the offense from the jump, a move that, frankly, makes a lot of sense given the circumstances.

It’s all about the long game, you see. Mahomes, our incredible QB, is still carefully working his way back to 100 percent after suffering those rather significant ACL and LCL tears last season. While he’s certainly making great strides, the team, and especially Head Coach Andy Reid, isn't taking any chances. He sat out the preseason opener against the Rams, too, and honestly, why rush perfection? The goal, of course, is to have him fully healthy and firing on all cylinders when Week 1 rolls around against the Denver Broncos. As for the final preseason game on Friday, August 28, against the Seahawks, his participation there remains a bit of an open question, though I wouldn't be surprised if they hold him out entirely until the regular season.

So, this means a golden opportunity for Justin Fields. He got the starting nod in the Rams game, and now he’ll get another chance to command the first-team offense against the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. It's an invaluable experience for him to build rhythm and confidence with the starting unit. Beyond Fields, we’ll also be seeing rookie Garrett Nussmeier, who hails from LSU, and Chris Oladokun get some significant snaps. These preseason games are absolutely crucial for evaluating talent and seeing what these guys can do under pressure.

It's not just about the quarterbacks, though. This preseason game is still a vital chance for the whole team to gel. We’ll see other key starters, like offensive linemen Trey Smith and Josh Simmons, and defensive end Ashton Gillotte, getting valuable reps. Assistant General Manager Chris Shea and the entire front office are surely watching every play closely, assessing every individual performance as they fine-tune the roster ahead of the regular season.

And speaking of the future, the Chiefs have certainly been busy solidifying their core for years to come. Mahomes, for instance, signed that record-setting contract way back in 2020, but it was just this June that his deal got a rework, extending him all the way through the 2033 season. That’s a massive commitment! Similarly, fan-favorite tight end Travis Kelce also had his contract reworked this offseason after agreeing to return for the 2026 season. These moves clearly demonstrate the organization’s dedication to maintaining a championship-caliber team for the long haul.

So, while we might miss seeing Mahomes sling it against the Bucs, the bigger picture is clear: the Chiefs are prioritizing his health for the regular season, while simultaneously giving promising young talent like Justin Fields the spotlight. It's all part of the master plan to bring another Super Bowl trophy back to Kansas City.