Early in free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs continued their trend of bringing in experienced backup quarterbacks to support Patrick Mahomes. The latest is Gardner Minshew, who signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs during the first few days of the new league year.
The Chiefs have insisted on a revolving-door approach of veteran signal-callers. Over the past few seasons, the Chiefs have cycled through a series of backups, including Carson Wentz (2024) and Blaine Gabbert (2023) in recent seasons. Each was brought in to provide stability and emergency insurance behind the Chiefs’ franchise superstar.
Gotta wonder if the Chiefs will keep up the one-and-done approach with Minshew as well.
Minshew arrives in Kansas City after a rather uneven season with the Las Vegas Raiders. He threw 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 2-7 record as a starter, but no one should place the Raiders’ troubles on Minshew’s shoulders. There’s a reason the team remains in the AFC West basement these days. Minshew, to his credit, enjoyed a nice ’23 season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he started 13 games and helped keep the team competitive in Anthony Richardson’s absence.
Most importantly, Minshew brings a similar skill set to past Chiefs backups—an experienced veteran capable of keeping the offense afloat if Mahomes were to miss time. This has been the Chiefs’ method of operation for quite some time now, creating the revolving door of one-and-done signings at the backup QB role.
Ever since Chad Henne decided to hang up his cleats following the 2022 season after multiple seasons in K.C., the Chiefs have valued experience but eschewed continuity. Perhaps they haven’t found the right fit in Gabbert or Wentz, and maybe Minshew will be the one to stick around for more than one year. Then again, maybe the Chiefs just don’t care all that much about consistency behind Mahomes.
At the very least, whether he sticks around for more than a season or follows the recent trend of one-year stints, Minshew is the latest name in a now well-established tradition of veteran backups in Kansas City.
