Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs starters play more than expected vs Bears

The Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Chicago Bears tonight in their final preseason tuneup before the regular season begins.

The final preseason game often sees few, if any, starters taking snaps throughout the game. Playing starters in a game that doesn’t matter in the long run of the season and puts them at a risk of injury. NFL teams typically use this last game situation to make decisions about depth players on the roster ahead of final cuts on Aug. 26.

Someone forgot to tell the Chiefs that.

Two-time NFL MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ starting offense played the opener three series against the Bears. They scored a touchdown, field goal and another touchdown on Mahomes’ three drives.

Mahomes connected with wide receiver Rashee Rice for a touchdown on his final snap of the game.

Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew entered the game on the Chiefs’ next drive and led the offense on a 13-play, 59-yard drive culminating in a 23-yard Harrison Butker field goal to take a 20-3 lead over Chicago.

The Bears also played their starters more than anticipated. Quarterback Caleb Williams played the entire first half and gave Chicago their first touchdown of the game on a three-yard pass to Rome Odunze.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs starters play surprising snaps vs Bears