Chase Litton is the undrafted free agent hoping for a chance. Matt McGloin is the journeyman veteran hoping to hold onto meaningful work. Who will win?
The first two slots are set.
Patrick Mahomes is the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Chad Henne is clearly in possession of the back-up role, having signed a two-year deal this offseason. Beyond that, however, is a true race for the third QB role between a journeyman veteran and a rookie free agent.
McGloin joined the Chiefs at the end of March and kept his job through the toughest part: the NFL Draft. Seven rounds came and went and the Chiefs allowed any and all signal callers to flow right past them as they reworked their defense with one pick after another. Three days later, McGloin likely breathed a bit easier.
Enter Chase Litton, a former quarterback at Marshall who signed with the Chiefs in hopes of finding a real opportunity to compete. He certainly has it since McGloin isn’t going to hold anyone back with real potential unless he himself shows a solid performance this preseaon to Andy Reid’s coaching staff.
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Litton looks the part in the pocket at 6’6, 232 lbs. During his final season at Marshall, Litton threw 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions (yep, that’s a lot) in 13 starts. He also completed 60% of his passes. The size and strength are there, a nice frame with which the Chiefs coaches could work, a la Tyler Bray, but the decision-making simply has to get better in every way—stronger recognition, quicker decisions, less risk averse.
As for McGloin, who is still only 28, he comes with career totals of 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions at the NFL level. He’s also a pitiful 1-6 as a starter, although he hasn’t even played a single down since 2016. He does, however, come with four years of experience with the Raiders and is certainly more game-ready than Litton–although it could be argued that it’s not a good thing.
Like it or not, those are the two players vying for QB3 for the Chiefs in 2018. It’s possible both could stick with one of them, Litton, on the practice squad. It’s also very possible that Brett Veach makes a deal for someone else entirely.
Who do you think will win out? Sound off in the comments.