The Kansas City Chiefs concluded their 2025-26 training camp with a focus on fine-tuning before their upcoming preseason games. On August 15, the team is set to face the Seattle Seahawks, marking their second preseason contest. However, uncertainty looms about star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ playing chances in this game, which could shift the spotlight to backup quarterbacks and other players trying to make an impression.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed doubts during a Wednesday media session about Mahomes seeing action against the Seahawks.

“There’s a good chance he doesn’t, but we’ll see how it goes,”

Reid stated, signaling that Mahomes might be held out to preserve his condition and allow the coaching staff to evaluate other team members in live-game situations. While Mahomes playing time could change, Reid emphasized the importance of assessing the depth of the roster as the preseason progresses.

Reid added,

“I’m still kind of figuring out who’s going to play [or] not play, that whole deal. There’s a chance I sit a couple of the starters, or at least be short with them. We want to make sure we get a good look at these guys, these young guys, so we’ll just see how it all rolls going forward.”

This approach reflects the team‘s strategy to balance caution with player evaluation before the final roster cuts.

Patrick Mahomes Trusts Coach Reid’s Judgment on Playing Time Decisions

When questioned about his involvement in Friday’s game, Mahomes deferred to his coach’s plans. Despite his eagerness to compete, the two-time NFL MVP recognizes the broader picture his coaching staff must consider. “I always want to play,” Mahomes said.

“You can say you don’t want to play, and then you get to the game and it’s like, ‘Man, I want to be in the game and play in a game with my teammates.’ At the end of the day, I trust in coach Reid and his process. He has a reason for everything that he does.”

Mahomes’ limited action in the preseason so far—just a single pass thrown in the opener versus the Arizona Cardinals—may be sufficient if he sits out the Seattle game as expected. Regardless, he remains committed to preparation.

“Yeah, I mean, I’ll be prepared to play,”

Mahomes said.

“I go into every single game with the mentality of, you don’t know how much you’re going to get in there so whenever you do get reps, you just try to maximize those. I’ll go through my normal routine and be ready to go. We’ll see how it gets as we get there, but I’ll be prepared to play for however many snaps that is.”

Chiefs Provide Updates on Injuries Ahead of Seahawks Game

Besides the uncertainty surrounding Mahomes, the Chiefs are also managing several injuries as they prepare for their second preseason test. Reid shared the latest health status of key players including tight end Jake Briningstool, wide receiver Marquise Brown, and others. “Briningstool, he’ll be out,” Reid confirmed.

“Marquise will be out. [Ethan] Driskell will be out. Kareem Hunt got a quad contusion — I’m just going to see about him.”

Speaking more specifically about Brown’s condition, Reid clarified the nature of his injury:

“It’s not really a high-ankle sprain. It’s more ankle-foot area. He’s making great progress, though. He’s running now a little bit, so that’s a positive. I don’t think he’s too far off, but we’ll see. He’s doing good.”

Briningstool, an undrafted rookie free agent dealing with a hamstring issue, has missed multiple practices. Brown, who was sidelined for a large portion of the prior season due to a sternoclavicular injury, is facing another setback during the preseason. Driskell, who recently underwent an appendectomy, is also out for the time being. Kareem Hunt’s quad contusion is a notable concern, given his role as the team’s top backup halfback. Hunt was instrumental in the Chiefs’ rushing success last season and his availability will be closely watched moving forward.

What These Developments Mean for the Chiefs’ Preseason and Regular Season Prospects

The probable absence of Patrick Mahomes against the Seattle Seahawks signals a valuable opportunity for backup quarterbacks and younger players to prove their capabilities in a competitive setting. Andy Reid’s cautious approach in managing starters’ reps reflects a desire to protect key contributors while gaining insight into the talent available beyond the usual starters. Injuries affecting key offensive players also underscore the team’s ongoing efforts to get healthy and ready ahead of the regular season.

As the Chiefs inch closer to their Week 1 matchup, balancing player health and evaluation will remain critical. The outcome of the Seahawks game and the performances by non-starters could influence roster decisions and provide a clearer picture of the team’s depth and readiness for the challenges ahead in the 2025 NFL season.