Mahomes makes risky play during rare preseason cameo for Kanas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes made a brief cameo during the Kansas City Chiefs ’ first preseason game and decided the play he was going to make would be a risky one.
The reigning Super Bowl champions took on the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Louisiana and were narrowly defeated 26-24. During Mahomes’ short appearance, and coming under pressure, he decided to run with the ball as opposed to just throwing it away.
There were no positives to the Super Bowl MVP running the ball and he left himself exposed to getting hit in the open field as a result. Everyone affiliated with the franchise will be hoping Mahomes is not involved in any more scenarios in pre-season that could jeopardise his fitness for the new campaign.
The 27-year-old was interviewed on the sideline during the third quarter. He commented on being back out on the field and using the halftime team talk to request more energy from his teammates.
“It was good to get out there again and get in the swing of things,” he said. “I was little pumped up at halftime there. We had to bring the energy level up on the sideline. But I think the guys were responding well.
Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super Bowl“I mean, obviously there’s mistakes but guys are learning from it, and I’m excited for these guys in the second half.” The Saints surged into a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter but backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Richie James got the Chiefs' side of the scoreboard moving.
Shane Buechele threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter, a 15-yard laser to Justyn Ross and an 8-yard throw to Kekoa Crawford as they won the quarter 14-0. When the touchdowns put the Chiefs into the lead, Mahomes leaped into the air with joy as he celebrated his team’s turnaround.
However, the Chiefs were outscored 9-3 in the final quarter of the game and were narrowly defeated by two points. Though the game was played in Louisiana, nearly 900 miles from Kansas, the fans showed up in a big way to support the defending champions as their pre-season commenced, and it was appreciated by Mahomes.
“I said it at the ESPYs, I think we had the best fanbase in sports,” Mahomes said. “They travel everywhere. They’re passionate. They always have that red on and you always know they’re there.
"So I love having the Chiefs Kingdom on my side and the best fans in the world.” The Chiefs will play the second of their three pre-season matches in the early hours of next Sunday morning against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium, before hosting the Cleveland Browns on August 26.