Before anyone panics, everyone knows Patrick Mahomes will be the number one quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. The real QB issue is who will be his backup and who will be the emergency QB. Thanks to a change in the rules this season, teams can carry three QBs. The emergency QB will not have to be declared active for the game and will not play unless the two other QBs are hurt, ejected, etc.
The QB problem the Chiefs have is not a bad one. It indicates they have depth. They have players who can step in and play the position if needed. Mahomes rarely is out of a game, and the few times fans watched Chad Henne take over, Henne was ready for the job. It will be no different this season, no matter who wins the backup spot.
The most recent preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals showed all four QBs having a good day. In the game, all four QBs led a touchdown drive. Altogether the four quarterbacks completed 31-of-38 passes for 393 yards.
It is a pretty good problem to have.
Right now, the battle is between Blaine Gabbert and Shane Buechele for the opportunity to be QB2 for the Chiefs. Gabbert has game experience and came over to the Chiefs in the offseason via free agency. Buechele is familiar with how the Chiefs run the offense, having been with the team since signing as an undrafted free-agent rookie in 2021.
Andy Reid will have a hard decision to make. It comes down to who they believe has “won” the right to be the QB2. Watching the game against the Cardinals gave fans a look at how well-prepared all the QBs were. Nobody believes that the decision will be easy or be made lightly. Reid will choose the one he believes will be able to take the team and make it his own in case anything happens to Mahomes.
The Chiefs have their last preseason game Saturday at Arrowhead against the Cleveland Browns. We will probably see more of Mahomes playing unless Reid decides he wants to have one last looking at Gabbert and Buechele before making his decision.
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