In a press conference held on Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs' head coach Andy Reid made an important announcement regarding the team's upcoming game. Following their division-clinching win in Week 17, it has been confirmed that quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be rested in Week 18. This decision will hand the starting reins to backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert for the week.

Reid emphasized that the rest for Mahomes and other starters is essential in their preparation for the playoffs. As the Chiefs are locked into the AFC's No. 3 seed, they will host a postseason game on Wild Card Weekend irrespective of the result in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

While some may see this game as less important due to the rest of key players, Reid strongly reiterated that it holds value. He stated, "This is not a less important game. It's just different guys in important positions playing the game and playing well. You don't just throw these games out; that's not what we're doing with that."

To fill in as a backup to Gabbert, the Chiefs will bring up practice squad quarterback Chris Oladokun to the game-day roster. Both Gabbert and Oladokun have been with the team since the beginning of the offseason and have been practicing with the second line of wide receivers.

Gabbert expressed his excitement for the upcoming game and the chance for the pass-catching group, including Justyn Ross, Kadarius Toney, and Mecole Hardman, to shine. Gabbert stated, "It's great to get more reps under your belt, so when your number is called in the playoffs, you're ready to go."

Chiefs fans will be particularly interested to see the performance of Justyn Ross, a second-year wideout who has overcome multiple injuries to earn his place on the 53-man roster. With only four catches this season, Week 18 presents a crucial opportunity for Ross to showcase his talent on the field.

Tight end Travis Kelce, a veteran player, is 16 yards away from reaching 1,000 receiving yards this season. Achieving this milestone would extend his NFL record for tight ends to eight consecutive years. While individual accolades are significant, Gabbert emphasized that Kelce prioritizes team success and would respect Coach Reid's decision to rest if necessary. However, Gabbert added, "If we're out there, we're going to do our damn best to get him 17 yards."

As the Chiefs prepare for the postseason, the coaching staff is focused on making the most of the players available to them in Week 18. While fans eagerly anticipate the playoffs, the team is maintaining their dedication and ensuring a strong performance against the Chargers.

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