You’d think a guy with three Super Bowl rings and a highlight reel that looks like a video game wouldn't have to worry about the "bench." But football is a weird business. Especially in August. During the 2025 NFL preseason, Patrick Mahomes found himself heading to the sidelines much earlier than anyone expected, sparking a wave of conversation about how the Kansas City Chiefs handle their most valuable asset.
Honestly, the term "benched" sounds harsh. It usually implies you’re playing poorly or the coach is sending a message. But when Andy Reid pulled Mahomes after just one drive against the Arizona Cardinals on August 9, 2025, it wasn't about performance. It was about preservation.
Still, for a competitor like Mahomes, sitting down while the game is still hot is never easy. That’s where the inner circle comes in.
Why Patrick Mahomes Received Family Support After Being Benched in Preseason
The preseason opener against the Cardinals was supposed to be a "tune-up." Coach Reid originally told the media that the starters, including Mahomes, would play the entire first quarter. Fans at State Farm Stadium paid good money to see the 15-train in action.
Then, the game actually started.
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The Chiefs' defense forced a fumble almost immediately. Mahomes took the field deep in Arizona territory. He looked sharp—basically like he never left. He threw a quick, clinical touchdown pass to Jason Brownlee. Just like that, his night was over. Total time on the field? About 48 seconds.
The Family Reacts
When you're the face of the NFL, every move is scrutinized. While some fans were annoyed they didn't get to see more of the superstar, his family was right there to remind everyone what matters.
Jackson Mahomes, Patrick's younger brother and a frequent presence on the sidelines, was quick to jump on social media. He posted "GO TIMME!"—a nickname often used within their circle—and shared clips of the scoring drive. It wasn’t just about the touchdown; it was about the efficiency. Jackson is an influencer who gets a lot of flak, but he’s consistently the first one to hype up his brother. He made it clear he was proud of the "one and done" performance.
Brittany Mahomes was also in the mix. She’s often the primary defender of the "Mahomes brand" on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Her support usually leans toward the "let the results speak for themselves" variety. By backing the decision to sit, she helped reinforce the idea that Patrick has nothing left to prove in a meaningless August game.
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The Strategy Behind the Sideline
Why would Andy Reid lie to us? Well, he didn't exactly lie; he adapted.
Reid is a veteran. He knows that if Mahomes takes a weird hit in a preseason game because a backup offensive lineman missed a block, the Chiefs' season is basically over before it starts. The "benching" was a strategic protective measure. Gardner Minshew, the newly acquired backup, needed those reps more anyway.
Mahomes didn't just go get a Gatorade and zone out, though.
He stayed incredibly active on the sideline. In fact, he was seen hovering around offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and the younger quarterbacks. He was basically acting as an extra coach. This is a nuance people often miss. Even when he’s "benched," Mahomes is working. He was seen comforting players like Deon Bush and Cam Jones when they got banged up during the game.
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What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a misconception that Mahomes was frustrated by the lack of playing time. In reality, he’s gone on record saying he trusts Reid implicitly.
- Rhythm vs. Risk: Mahomes wants the "feel" of the pocket, but he doesn't need 20 hits to get it.
- Mentorship: He used the time to guide Minshew and the rookies on how to read the Cardinals' defensive shells.
- Health: Coming off a Super Bowl loss the previous season (Super Bowl 59), the priority was entering Week 1 at 100%.
The Bigger Picture for the 2025-26 Season
This preseason moment was actually a precursor to a very focused year. Mahomes had a statistically "down" year by his standards in 2024, failing to hit the 4,000-yard mark for the first time as a full-season starter. He was motivated. He told reporters during training camp that he needed to execute better when the "deep shots" were there.
The family support isn't just a "nice to have" thing for him. It’s the foundation. Whether it’s his mother Randi posting encouraging Bible verses or Brittany managing the chaos of two young kids while their dad is in "assassin mode," that stability allows him to handle the weirdness of NFL politics and preseason benchings without breaking a sweat.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Chiefs or just a fan of the Mahomes journey, here is what you should keep an eye on:
- Watch the "Coach Mahomes" evolution: As he nears 30, his role on the sidelines during preseason and blowouts is changing. He’s becoming a secondary architect of the offense.
- Ignore the "Bench" headlines: In the modern NFL, star players sitting out is a sign of respect and value, not a lack of confidence.
- The "Family" factor: The Mahomes family is a unit. When the media cycle gets loud, look at their social media for the "real" temperature of how the player is feeling.
The reality is that Patrick Mahomes being benched in the preseason wasn't a slight. It was a luxury. A luxury provided by a coach who knows his window for greatness is wide open and a family that keeps his feet on the ground when the world expects him to fly.
Keep an eye on the Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s when the real work begins, and that's when the "support" translates into touchdowns that actually count.