Chiefs Official: Patrick Mahomes ruled out for Friday's game against Seattle; rookie Garrett Nussmeier will start
Kansas City is keeping its franchise quarterback on the sideline as his recovery from major knee surgery continues
P atrick Mahomes will not take the field when the Kansas City Chiefs close out their preseason against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, with head coach Andy Reid confirming that rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will get the start instead.
The decision provides another indication that Kansas City remains unwilling to take unnecessary chances with Mahomes as he works his way back from the serious knee injuries he suffered last season.
Mahomes underwent surgery to repair torn ACL and LCL ligaments in December, beginning a lengthy rehabilitation process that has continued throughout the offseason.
Despite the extended recovery, Mahomes has made encouraging progress during training camp. He has participated consistently since being cleared to practice and has not needed to miss a session because of the knee.
The Chiefs have also been able to watch him work through increasingly demanding practice situations, giving the coaching staff a clearer picture of his readiness for the regular season.
Mahomes himself said earlier this week that his recovery was continuing in the right direction. The three-time Super Bowl MVP had previously made it clear that he would like to see some preseason action if Reid believed the timing was appropriate. That opportunity will not come against Seattle.
The Chiefs ' approach is consistent with the bigger picture. Kansas City has been treating the preseason as part of Mahomes ' rehabilitation rather than a deadline for him to prove he can play.
With the regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos scheduled for Sept. 14, there is still time for the quarterback to complete the final stages of his comeback.
Garrett Nussmeier gets another opportunity to impress
Instead of Mahomes , the spotlight will shift to Nussmeier , the seventh-round selection Kansas City made with the 249th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The former LSU quarterback has already received meaningful preseason snaps and will now have another chance to strengthen his position before the Chiefs finalize their roster.
Nussmeier has completed 22 of 36 passes for 172 yards across Kansas City's first two preseason games.
He has shown enough for the Chiefs to give him another extended opportunity, particularly with Chris Oladokun unavailable for the finale.
His first two appearances have included 13 completions on 19 attempts for 98 yards against the Los Angeles Rams , followed by nine completions on 17 attempts for 74 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
The rookie has also been getting valuable work in practice alongside Mahomes and the rest of Kansas City's quarterback room.
The Chiefs ' official practice reports have highlighted Nussmeier's arm talent, including a touchdown connection with wide receiver Jacob DeJesus during an 11-on-11 period.
That experience could become particularly important if Nussmeier earns a roster spot as the season approaches.
Friday's game will give him another opportunity to demonstrate that he can operate the offense efficiently while playing against an opponent that is also preparing for the regular season.
Mahomes ' absence, meanwhile, means the two-time MVP will complete the preseason without appearing in a game.
That is unusual for a quarterback of his stature, but the circumstances make the decision understandable given the severity of his previous injuries. The Chiefs have already seen enough from him in practice to remain confident in his progression.
Kansas City is scheduled to host Seattle at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday night, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT.
For the Chiefs , the result of the preseason finale will matter far less than having Mahomes ready when the games begin to count.
The organization is clearly prioritizing his long-term health, while Nussmeier now has one more opportunity to make his case before Kansas City turns its full attention toward the Sept. 14 opener.
At this stage, Mahomes does not need a preseason game to prove what he can do. The Chiefs' priority is making sure the quarterback is physically prepared for the demands of another NFL season, and Reid's latest decision suggests the team believes patience remains the best way to get there.
