The Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of experience on the quarterback depth chart behind Patrick Mahomes, but one former NFL starter could find himself below the cut line at the end of the summer.
The team signed journeyman Gardner Minshew in March as an insurance policy behind the former league MVP and also added former New England Patriots starter Bailey Zappe. With practice squad stalwart Chris Oladokun also in the mix, one analyst believes that Zappe will end up as the odd man out.
End of the Line for Bailey Zappe
Reporter Nick Jacobs of KSHB in Kansas City gave an early projection of the team’s final 53-man roster, predicting that Minshew will hold onto the No. 2 job and Zappe will be waived.
“The Chiefs will need the numbers for either wide receiver or tight end, so they keep two on the active roster, with Oladokun on the practice squad,” Jacobs wrote. “Zappe struggles to read defenses and place the ball where it needs to go, while Oladokun has the athletic ability to buy himself time and make plays. However, Oladokun believes a little too much in his arm. That can lead to some interceptions in windows he doesn’t have the velocity for.”
Despite the deficiencies, the Chiefs have shown faith in Oladokun by keeping him on their practice squad for parts of the last three seasons.
Gardner Minshew Seized Backup Job
There may not be much drama at final cuts for the Chiefs, with Minshew solidifying his spot as the backup to Mahomes. He had a short but efficient day in the team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week, going 7-for-9 for 70 yards with one touchdown.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid played many of the team’s offensive starters at the beginning of the game to replicate what Minshew would face if he had to relieve an injured Mahomes.
“Man, anytime you get out there and get reps, it’s a good time. Glad to be working with some of the ones, just get my communication right, to be able to go out there and operate,” Minshew said of the game, via USA Today’s Chiefs Wire. “Yeah, it was great, man. You want to score every time you get out there. Frustrated to get stopped there (on) fourth and one in the red zone. Great to get out there and get some points on the board.”
Through the team’s first two games, Minshew has gone 13-of-18 for 124 yards with a passing touchdown and a rushing score. He has plenty of experience as a starter as well, starting 46 games over the course of his six NFL seasons. He has completed 63.3% of his passes for 11,950 total yards with 68 touchdowns and 38 interceptions.
Zappe has some experience as well, starting six games for the Patriots in 2023. He has a total of 15 NFL appearances and nine starts, completing 62.1% of his passes for 2,223 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
The Chiefs have valued experience behind Mahomes, calling on former Philadelphia Eagles starter Carson Wentz to back him up last year.
