KC Chiefs show intriguing commitment to Shane Buechele

Earlier this week, the K.C. Chiefs announced their decision to protect four of their own members of the practice squad. Among them were three defenders within the front seven and undrafted quarterback Shane Buechele. It wasn’t the first time the Chiefs had submitted Buechele’s name among the protected.

The full list from this week featured Buechele along with defensive end Demone Harris and linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Darius Harris. The linebackers are understandable given that Willie Gay Jr. is still working his way back from injury with limited reps and the fact that Anthony Hitchens left Sunday’s win over the Washington Football Team with an elbow injury. Demone Harris is a popular call-up of sorts, a guy who can instantly sub in for rotational reps outside.

As for Buechele, we’re not quite sure what to make of the team’s interest in protecting him.

Here’s why this is all so intriguing at this juncture. Each week, every NFL franchise is allowed to protect up to four players on their own practice squads of 16 to keep other teams from being able to sign them away. On paper, that sounds like a great way for teams to protect their favorite young developmental guys, and it might even be safe to assume that every team protects their standard four players each week.

The Chiefs are protecting Shane Buechele on the practice squad now when they were not before.

The Chiefs, however, don’t do this—not at all. During the first week of the season, the Chiefs decided not to protect a single player. It doesn’t cost them a thing to do it. They just chose not to. In ensuing weeks, the Chiefs have protected a player or two here and there, but they’ve never once protected all four players in seven weeks of preparation during the regular season. That is, until now.

Here’s the thing: the Chiefs have been protecting Buechele for a bit now. At first, he was just sitting there available on the practice squad for any team to sign away. Now, they’re protecting him as the season goes on.

Maybe there’s nothing more going on here than a team not wanting to lose their scouting quarterback to opponents when he’s learned so much of the game plan. Maybe the Chiefs don’t want to completely reset at quarterback in terms of developmental arms until after another season is set. But maybe there’s also something to read here in terms of how much they actually like Buechele, that maybe after further time with the coaching staff and players, there’s a growing sentiment that Buechele could be a future contributor.

Remember, this is Chad Henne‘s last season with the team, at least contractually, as he wraps up a two-year deal in 2021. In addition, the Chiefs also kept other veterans around in past seasons, like keeping Matt Moore in the loop when Henne was injured. This year, it’s been Buechele alone on the practice squad and now he’s being protected.

Buechele originally joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of SMU, and looked solid in preseason play. His own offensive coordinator, Garrett Riley, spoke to us in depth about his pro readiness saying, “This guy is going to adapt. He’s going to excel mentally. He’s going to be a leader and a great teammate—all the things you want at that position. Honestly I really do just think him being in a system that can bring out all of his strengths, I really think he’ll excel there.”

Has Buechele turned a corner in his development? Are the Chiefs excited about his potential to be more than a developmental prospect? Is there a real chance we’ll see Buechele compete for a primary backup role behind Patrick Mahomes?