As Week 2 of the NFL preseason kicks off, Chiefs fans are asking a question that always sparks debate: Will the starters take the field against the Seattle Seahawks?
Will the Starters Play Today Versus the Seattle Seahawks?
The answer, for now, seems to be a firm “probably not.”
Head coach Andy Reid has been clear about his approach. “There’s a chance I sit a couple of the starters or at least be short with them,” he said after Wednesday’s final training camp practice. “We want to make sure we get a good look at these young guys, so we’ll just see how it all rolls going forward.”
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce unlikely to play against Seahawks https://t.co/INTBAjI3X4
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) August 13, 2025
It’s something Reid does regularly every year. He wants his starters to get some reps to shake off sluggishness, but in reality, preseason is more about seeing who belongs on the 53-man roster, not putting starters at risk of injury. With a near-perfect 15-2 record in 2024 and the heartbreak of last season’s Super Bowl LIX loss, the Chiefs are intent on keeping their best players healthy for the crucial moments.
Rookies like Kingsley Suamataia and Josh Simmons are anticipated to play a significant role, particularly on the left side of the offensive line. To decide who gets a spot on the roster, coaches will be intently observing how these rookies convert practice repetitions into game performance.
Gardner Minshew Set to Start Versus Seattle
Quarterback duties will fall to Gardner Minshew, a fan favorite and offseason pickup. Minshew, who threw for 2,013 yards and nine touchdowns with the Raiders in 2024, will get the chance to run the offense, fine-tune chemistry with his line, and shake off any preseason rust. While he won’t start once Mahomes returns, Minshew can keep the offense on track for a night.
Seattle is expected to play its starters despite them sitting out Week 1 of the preseason against Las Vegas. It would have been interesting to see if Kansas City followed suit, considering the teams do not face each other during the regular season.
Nonetheless, this Week 2 matchup is more about evaluating other players. To recover from last season’s Super Bowl setback, Kansas City wants to find hidden gems, assess backups, and ensure the roster is prepared. Keeping the Chiefs’ core healthy and ready for the real battles that begin in September is the top priority, even though fans want to see their stars play.
