Topic overview
In brief
- Patrick Mahomes suffered a serious injury last season, leading to a disappointing 6-11 record for the Chiefs.
- Justin Fields has begun taking first-team reps in practice, indicating he may start in the preseason opener.
- The Chiefs are preparing Fields as a backup plan while Mahomes continues his recovery.
Summary
In the United States, the Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams on August 15, 2026. Patrick Mahomes, the team's star quarterback, suffered a significant injury last season, tearing his ACL and LCL, which caused him to miss the final games of the season. The Chiefs ended that season with a disappointing 6-11 record, their worst during Mahomes' tenure. However, reports from the offseason and training camp have been optimistic regarding Mahomes' recovery, as he has been a full participant in practice since camp began.
On August 6, 2026, the Chiefs made a notable adjustment by allowing backup quarterback Justin Fields to take 11-on-11 reps with the first-team offense for the first time during training camp. This change suggests that Fields may be positioned to start in the upcoming preseason game, especially as Mahomes continues to recover. Fields expressed his gratitude for the guidance he has received from Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, stating that he has learned a lot since joining the team and is eager to showcase his skills in a game setting.