Multiple Kansas City Chiefs starters will have a week off before the playoffs begin. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced in a press conference Wednesday that the Chiefs will rest some players for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
One player who won’t see any in-game action is quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a Super Bowl defender and league MVP. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert will start during his absence.
Gabbert appeared in his first game for the Chiefs this season, throwing for 31 yards and two interceptions. Dating back to 2011, he has 9,333 passing yards, 51 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions in his career.
“We’ll be rotating in other players as we go along,” Reid said of the rest of the team.
Last week, Kansas City clinched the AFC West title with a 25-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. This win and other performances league-wide gave the Chiefs the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
Reid believes it’s more beneficial to rest starters than risk injury in meaningless games, since the final regular-season game against a divisional opponent can’t move a team up or down in the playoff picture. .
Coach Reed emphasized the importance of having a good week of preparation, even if the starters are unable to play.
Asked if players who are a little out of form will play or be rotated out, Reid said he wants them to focus on rehab, adding: “Then we’ll go from there.” .
“It depends on what the milestone is,” Reid said when asked if he would prioritize players who are about to play, as many players are nearing incentives or milestones this week. As star tight end Travis Kelce approaches his eighth consecutive year of 1,000 or more receptions, people are wondering if he’ll be on the field this week.
Mr. Reed offered little insight into the matter, saying he would wait and see. When I asked him how his discussions with Kelce went about this, he said with a laugh that these types of conversations are usually one-sided.
Resting starters is something Reid has done in the past with a playoff berth confirmed.
Heading into the matchup, the Chargers are 5-11 and the Chiefs are 10-6.
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