The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes didn’t get to see a prolific season like they expected. Ahead of the 2023 NFL season, many projected the team to go undefeated, but the defending champion scrambled miserably.
While the Chiefs did manage to win several games, they did it by razor-thin margins and suffered several disheartening losses to below-average opponents. The season also witnessed Mahomes, known for his composure, losing his cool often on the field, especially throughout the last few weeks. However, the team has already secured its playoff run and is moving on to its last game. Mahomes’ game status is hanging on the air for the Week 18 match against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Why is Patrick Mahomes unlikely to play in the Week 18 game?
Days ago, reports circulated about Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s potential to miss their Week 18 match against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Seemingly, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is going to follow the path.
Following the Chiefs’ victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year’s Eve, the signal-caller addressed the question of his availability for Week 18 by showcasing a noncommittal attitude.
One of the critical factors contributing to the speculation around the veteran’s potential absence is the Chiefs’ secured playoff berth and locked-in No. 3 seed position, irrespective of the Week 18 result. Pat admitted being unaware of this status and conveyed his reliance on head coach Andy Reid’s decision-making regarding the team’s momentum-building or potential rest ahead of the playoffs.
“I didn’t know that, but I kind of just let Coach Reid make all those decisions. If he wants us to build off this momentum I’ll be ready to roll. If he wants to give us some rest I’ll get that rest, prepare for whoever we’re going to play, and get ready for the playoffs,” he said via Heavy.
Injuries have plagued several teams this season, especially quarterbacks. Amidst a league landscape that has witnessed numerous season-ending injuries to starting QBs, preserving Mahomes’ health becomes a paramount concern for the defending champion. A comparison drawn between AFC teams reveals that only five players, including Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa, Pat, Buffalo Bills Josh Allen, Jackson, and Houston Texans CJ Stroud have retained their QB1s from Week 1.
Patrick Mahomes’ absence in Week 18 would sideline a dual-threat who has been averaging an impressive 262.5 passing yards per game, accumulating a total of 3,938 yards throughout the season.
Who is Patrick Mahomes’ backup QB?
Blaine Gabbert will lead the Chiefs if Patrick Mahomes misses the Week 18 match. Gabbert’s journey to becoming Mahomes’ backup has been quite the NFL tour. Drafted in 2011 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he showcased his potential but faced challenges frequently. Moving on from the Jaguars, the veteran had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before landing with the Chiefs in April 2023.
The Chiefs’ decision to sign Gabbert came after the retirement of Chad Henne, who had been Mahomes’ primary backup for five years. The team sought a seasoned quarterback, someone familiar with the NFL’s rigors and capable of stepping into the lineup seamlessly if called upon.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time the Chiefs have opted to rest their key players; the 2020 season saw them choose backups after securing the No. 1 seed, resulting in a loss.
