The 2024-25 NFL regular season only concluded this Sunday, producing a hoard of unexpected moments for fans. One of the highlights of Week 18 was the Kansas City Chiefs‘ emphatic loss against the Denver Broncos, where the reigning Super Bowl champions failed to score a single point. Nevertheless, many had already expected Andy Reid’s men to underperform, particularly due to the absence of their talisman, Patrick Mahomes. But why did the veteran quarterback miss out on the Chiefs’ final league game of the season?
Here’s everything fans need to know about why Mahomes did not play in the Chiefs’ recent game against the Broncos.
Patrick Mahomes missed the Chiefs vs Broncos game
The 29-year-old NFL superstar failed to make an appearance in the Chiefs’ latest match-up due to the low stakes involved in the game.
The Kansas City Chiefs finished their league season at the summit of the AFC division with a superlative record of 15-2. Heading into their Sunday fixture against the Broncos, the Chiefs had already secured the top position in their conference, alongside home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. With the game against Denver having no impact on the Chiefs’ league standing, coach Andy Reid strategically decided to give Patrick Mahomes a much-needed rest.
Explaining his decision to reporters on January 1, Reid stated, “I’ve been through that before, so I’m not too worried about all that. It gives the other guys an opportunity here to grow, and you can use everybody,” as per US Weekly. Instead of Patrick Mahomes, 32-year-old backup quarterback Carson Wentz received a much-awaited chance in the starting lineup against the Broncos.
In Mahomes’ absence, the Chiefs succumbed to their second defeat of the season, losing the clash 38-0. Regardless, Kansas City will be participating in the Divisional Round, which commences on January 18, with hopes of securing their third Super Bowl title in succession. Despite an injury scare last month, Patrick Mahomes should feature in his side’s remaining matches, barring any last-moment surprises.
