Patrick Mahomes Confirms New Plan From Andy Reid as Chiefs QB Calls For Caution vs. Ravens

Looks like, finally, the Chiefs have a plan in motion. With all the predictions for Week 4 against them, quarterback Patrick Mahomes couldn’t sit idle for too long.

In a recent press conference, he revealed, “Coach Reid gives me free roam, if I don’t like plays, just tell him and they’ll take them out of there.” Even though things aren’t looking good for them at the moment, the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s faith in his head coach, Andy Reid, hasn’t trembled. Perhaps that’s something which may end up saving them. 

Remember Super Bowl LIX? Kansas City fans can never forget that night, nor can the team. Mahomes has always been known for slinging it deep and putting defenses on their heels. But on February 10, that explosive style felt faded. He had Xavier Worthy as a big-play target on the Chiefs’ second drive, yet instead of letting the ball fly, Mahomes dumped it short for a modest gain to JuJu Smith-Schuster. A blunder he couldn’t take back. If that taught him anything, it is never to play it safe when he can make history. 

His goal during the 2025 Summer was “to be better at throwing the ball down the field.” But he didn’t think all his weapons would be diffused? Worthy and Rashee Rice have not been with the team since Week 1. So the elite quarterback has been micromanaging things on the field, and even had to take the role of running back by leading the franchise and the league in rushing yards. As a result, his passing game suffered. He has been reportedly off target 22 percent of his throws—the worst in the league. They won’t get far this way. But things are finally appearing to get better. 

Though Reid doesn’t always rely on the run game to win games, the underperformance was hurting the entire team. Finally, there was a glimmer of hope in Week 3, which many are calling RB Isiah Pacheco’s homecoming. He, along with Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith, impressed everyone by carrying the ball 22 times combined for 94 yards and averaging 4.2 yards per carry. But the star of the game was certainly Pacheco, who posted 10 carries for 45 yards along with a long 10-yard run. Based on that, Mahomes expressed his confidence in them ahead of facing the Ravens. “They’re a prideful group, they’re not gonna be very happy with the film after Monday night,” he said about the running backs. What’s even more exciting is that the dream of having both Rice and Worthy back isn’t far off at all.

Chiefs await return of receivers

Wide receiver Worthy, whom Mahomes called a ‘playmaker’ earlier this year, went down with a shoulder injury in Week 1 after colliding with tight end Travis Kelce. He was declared out for the game and sat out Week 2 and Week 3. However, he returned to practice ahead of Week 2 on Thursday in limited participation. He continued that in all three practice sessions ahead of Week 3. With Week 4 scheduled on September 28, if Worthy joins any practice in full capacity, there’s a good chance he will make it for the game against the Ravens. 

As for Rice, who hasn’t been with Kansas City since Week 4 of the 2024 season, has been suspended until Week 6 of this season. This means he will be back on the field and healthy in Week 7, when the Chiefs will be up against the Las Vegas Raiders. “We do get 4 [WRs] back, and I know the guys will be fired up about that, to see him. [Rashee Rice] He can’t practice, he can’t be on the field, but he can do the other stuff, and just having him around, he’s a good, positive energy to have around,” said head coach Andy Reid. 

There’s another wide receiver, rookie Jalen Royals, who was listed on the Week 3 injury report with knee tendinitis. He didn’t make it to the game. But since he has returned to the team in full participation in practice sessions, it won’t be long until he’ll be listed as active. All in all, things are improving for Kansas City, albeit at a slow pace, which is a positive sign.