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.

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.

Patrick Mahomes will take the field for the Kansas City Chiefs' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, but he won't have one of his top targets.