Chiefs Coach Reveals 'Mental Challenge' Facing Roster In Week 18

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jan 4, 2025 10:14 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs face the Denver Broncos in Week 18 at Mile High, with a host of starters set to sit out.

Patrick Mahomes is the only player thus far who has been officially sat with head coach Andy Reid, revealing that earlier in the week, but others like Travis Kelce or even Chris Jones might join him on the sidelines in Denver.

But just because the stars aren't playing doesn't mean they get a week "off" from their normal preparation, and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has detailed the challenges some players will face this week.

“They know that it's their job number one, number two, they have to stay prepared whichever way it goes, and they do a good job with that,” Nagy said. “This entire time, as they go through this process, they know that if they're not playing, it's their role to become another coach and be there. As you go through this process, the mental challenge and the hurdles like preparing all week, you can't let that slip, you got to prepare and keep it the same. I think that's very important for these guys.”

So, despite several starters likely to be sitting out during Week 18, they must prepare as if they are going to play, and as Nagy alluded to, that can be a mental challenge.

There might not be an extra film study session for the extra routes run after practice because there's no game this week for them.

But the Chiefs run a good program, and Nagy seems confident that whoever sits out against Denver will still be preparing like they're playing. That standard has driven the Chiefs to be on the cusp of creating history in 2024.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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