The reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes made his 2019 preseason debut last night. Mahomes’ brief appearance in the Kansas City Chiefs 38-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals showcased his incredible arm and more importantly maturity in the pocket.

Mahomes was sharp during his series, going 4-of-4 for 66 yards. The key moment that won’t show up on his stat sheet is his decision to slide instead of taking the big hit on a scramble near the endzone. The cautious decision garnered plenty of surprise and attention after the game while addressing the media.

“I was just kind of scrambling out, trying to find someone open,” Mahomes said. “And I kind of cut back and saw the endzone and I knew there was a good chance I could’ve gotten in there but he was coming down hill pretty fast, so, I decided to save it for the regular season.”

Head coach Andy Reid is looking forward to having a healthy star quarterback this season. Mahomes, fully understanding this, gave a playful smile to his sideline after the play.

”No, he (Reid) didn’t say anything to me,” Mahomes said. “I mean, I know, he knows it’s a smart decision you make during the preseason. In the season I would probably go for it but right now I’ll keep sliding it down there.

”Just the whole coaching staff in general. Just kind of smiling because they get on me sometimes about how in the Chargers game, the first game of the year last year, I kind of got stood up at the goal line twice trying to get in there. It’s kind of a joke, an inside joke thing we have going on.”

Mahomes is a proven threat as a passer, but he’s not bad running with the football either. His reluctance to play it safe and slide is vital for longterm health, and coach Reid agrees completely with that sentiment given his quick response to the question regarding that play.

”That’s why you take him out of the game,” Reid said.

It’s only week one of the preseason, but Mahomes already appears in midseason form, and the coaching staff is impressed with his wise decisions. The jokes are good too.