Matt Moore is confident in new role as Chiefs starting quarterback
By Matt Conner
Matt Moore sounds ready and confident to take over the starting quarterback role for the Kansas City Chiefs in the wake of Patrick Mahomes injury.
Matt Moore made it clear to reporters: he wouldn’t have taken the job as Patrick Mahomes backup if he wasn’t confident he could step up and do the job as Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback if required.
On Thursday night, the Chiefs watched a nightmare unfold when Mahomes, the team’s best overall player, went down with a knee injury early in the second quarter in the team’s Week 7 win over the Denver Broncos. At that point, Moore became the proverbial “next man up” and suddenly the weight of replacing the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player was upon him.
Moore wasn’t even supposed to be Mahomes’ primary backup this season. The Chiefs brought in Chad Henne and Matt Moore for tryouts two offseasons ago and went with Henne. Last season, Mahomes was healthy all year in his first go as a starter, but Henne was lost for a long time this preseason due to injury which forced the Chiefs to place him on IR. Moore was then signed as he was still a free agent.
Moore came into the Week 7 game in relief of Mahomes and performed admirably in the face of such trials. Not only did the shadow from Mahomes’ injury loom large but he’d also not practiced one bit with the first-team offense. Moore was also without the services of wideout Sammy Watkins, left tackle Eric Fisher, left guard Andrew Wylie and, after some time, even backup left guard Martinas Rankin.
Still Moore was able to protect the football and keep from committing a single turnover. He also threw a nice touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill on a play that put the game completely out of reach with the tremendous help of the team’s strong defensive effort.
After the game, Moore answered questions with reporters and said he was emotionally torn in the moment. He felt for Mahomes yet had a job to do on the field.
“I was devastated for him. Obviously he’s been banged up and popped up pretty quick before,” said Moore. “This one obviously wasn’t that case. I hope he’s okay, you know? At the same time, we’ve gotta go win a football game. I’ve been in this position before and you’ve just kinda gotta move forward and go, just wishing the best for your buddy.”
Moore was also quick to point out that he’s ready to be the starter as long as the Chiefs need him and that confidence isn’t a problem. He’s in good coaching hands with an impressive group of skill position players who can make things happen.
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be standing up here,” said Moore to questions about whether or not he’s confident he can do the job. “I’ve played in this league before. Just like everybody, I’ve had my ups and downs, but the confidence is for sure there. It’s going to grow day by day, so I feel good.”