A quick conversation between Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray got lots of eyes after the Kansas City Chiefs lost 20-17 to the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game on Saturday.
Mahomes, who only played for 48 seconds and made a touchdown pass, was still in his full kit when he met Murray in the middle of the field. The Cardinals quarterback had already put on regular clothes. This set off talks on social media, with some saying Mahomes’ full gear showed his role as a leader.
“Mahomes still being in full uniform while Kyler changed into street clothes speaks VOLUMES,” one person posted on X. Another said: “One guy looks ready to play and lead. The other guy looks like he wanted the day off.“
The reason behinf Mahomes’ full uniform
Ex-Chiefs player Mitchell Schwartz said that the difference was not just symbolic, but due to an old team policy.
“Nah, just Coach Reid’s rule,” Schwartz shared online. “Everyone wishes they could take their pads off the second they’re done, but he wants everyone to remain in uniform all game.”
Reid has imposed this a rule for a long time, even during the 2023 preseason, when he called out players for taking off their pads too soon after they were done playing against the New Orleans Saints.
“You keep your pads on,” Reid said then. “You never know when you might have to go back in. That’s how we roll.”
Way more than just a dress code
This rule is part of how Reid gets ready and prepares for the preseason, making sure his main quarterback plays at least one drive in the first game and then switching up players for the rest.
“We situate it off the quarterbacks,” Reid noted. “They’ll each get a quarter. So, the first one will be Pat, second will be Gardner Minshew, then Bailey Zappe, then Chris Oladokun at the end.”
The game also saw a loss for Kansas City’s defense. Safety Deon Bush hurt his Achilles and will likely miss the entire 2025 NFL season.
Reid, at 67, did not make much of the preseason loss and spoke about the need for regular focus.
“There’s so much parity in the league that you gotta be on your A-game every week,” Reid told the ‘Up & Adams’ show. “That’s what we’re striving to do.”
What is next for the Kansas City Chiefs?
The Kansas City Chiefs will conclude their preseason with games at Seattle on Aug. 15 and at their own place against Chicago on Aug. 22. Their first game in the main season will be against the Los Angeles Chargers in So Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5.
Their early key games have them hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 14, going to the New York Giants on Sept. 21, and playing the Baltimore Ravens at home on Sept. 28.
Andy Reid is still confident of his team, pointing out how key it is to be “on your A-game every week” in a tough AFC.
