Andy Reid will continue to use Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in the run game
The status of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is still in question for the AFC Championship Game as he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
If Mahomes is cleared in time for the AFC title game, we could see him running similar plays to the one he was injured on. If it was left up to a popular vote, fans would have Chiefs HC Andy Reid tear the page out of the playbook with designed running plays for Mahomes. However, Reid revealed on Monday that his thinking surrounding the risk and reward of using his quarterback in the run game won’t change.
“Yeah, I mean it does happen,” Reid explained. “Listen it happens; it just hasn’t happened much to him over time here so that will still be part of the game depending on what the play is as we go down the road. Let’s just see how things work out this week for him. Just see how it works.”
It might appear a bit hypocritical on the part of Reid to say this too. He’s basically eliminated the QB sneak from the Chiefs’ offense since 2019 when Mahomes suffered a freak kneecap dislocation injury against the Denver Broncos.
Specifically, with the speed option plays that Reid called against the Cleveland Browns, they allow him to protect himself from injury a bit more.
“Yeah, so it gets you a little bit more out in the space,” Reid said. “The ones that we use here as opposed to going up the middle. Just stating the obvious, but yes.”
That, of course, didn’t happen in the divisional round of the playoffs for the Chiefs. There will always be some level of risk associated no matter the type of run.
Knowing the type of competitor that Mahomes is, you can expect him to echo his head coach when he’s finally permitted to speak to the media. He’ll want to call his number and carry the ball so long as it puts the Chiefs in the best position to win games.
List
Chiefs release updated depth chart for AFC Championship Game
