Head coach Andy Reid stated that the plan for the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals was to have Patrick Mahomes play the first quarter, something that we know has become the norm for his team.

Kansas City’s quarterback and leader is pushing his peers right from the jump. Plus, the team’s depth appears to be in much better shape than last year.

But openers don’t always go as planned. Last season, when the Chiefs played their preseason opener at Jacksonville, Patrick Mahomes played the first series, leading the Chiefs to a field goal. Backup Carson Wentz entered the game for the second series, in the first quarter. Before halftime, then-third team quarterback Chris Oladokun led a drive.