Most memorable opposing rookie quarterback debuts in KC Chiefs history

This is not your originally scheduled programming.

On Sunday afternoon, the NFL will watch a matchup of quarterbacks at Arrowhead Stadium that was not the long-awaited contest between Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs versus Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. For months, fans have anticipated this game as a showdown of two of the NFL’s most compelling talents leading two loaded rosters in a potential Super Bowl matchup. However, just a few days ago, Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19.

Just like that, Rodgers was placed on the team’s COVID reserve list and the Packers altered their game plans to include backup Jordan Love as the starting quarterback. That meant a lot of last-minute changes for both teams, including the Chiefs who now had to scout Love and prepare for a different offensive approach. Or did they? The shift creates questions for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Love will make his NFL debut as a starting quarterback on Sunday after attempting only seven passes in two games earlier this year. Love was taken in the first round by the Packers in the 2020 NFL Draft and sat for his entire first season. That’s the same story this season until Week 9.

How will Love far? It’s impossible to say but several notable NFL quarterbacks have made their debuts as a starter against the Chiefs over the years. Here’s a look at a few.

Justin Herbert, 2020

Just last season, quarterback Tyrod Taylor was injured—with an odd punctured lung—heading into the Los Angeles Chargers game in Week 2 against the Chiefs, At the last second, literally just before the game was set to begin, the Chargers turned to Justin Herbert, their top pick in the draft. Herbert completed 22 of 33 passes for 1 touchdown and 1 interception in a 23-20 loss, but even when thrust into action, it was very clear that he was the real deal after coming with numerous big throws in the face of tough competition. The Chiefs won by a mere three points and Herbert hasn’t lost another game to the Chiefs, albeit in a very short stretch of only two games.

Jack Kemp, 1960

Let’s stick with the Los Angeles Chargers for a minute. Back when the Chiefs were known as the Dallas Texans in their days in the AFL, future NFL great Jack Kemp was preparing to make his debut as the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1. The Chargers barely beat the Chiefs by a final score of 21-20, but Kemp looked the part of a franchise quarterback in this battle with a final line of 24 completions on 41 attempts for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns without a single interception. It was the first standout performance of many in a career that featured 7 Pro Bowls, an AFL Championship for Buffalo in ’65, and a career that should merit greater Hall consideration.

Bob Griese, 1967

It’s weird to think that Bob Griese made the Pro Bowl in his debut season in ’67 considering just how poorly his turn as the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins began. The Chiefs not only dominated the Dolphins in Griese’s debut by a final of 24-0, but they intercepted Griese twice while holding him to a 50 percent completion rate and 101 passing yards. The good news for Griese is that he would fare much better over the years against the Chiefs and, well, every other team in a Hall of Fame career.

Marty Domres, 1969

A lot of quarterbacks have put up some miserable days against the Chiefs in their debut, but the absolute worst day of all belongs to Marty Domres of the Chargers who, in 1969, served up the single worst first game, statistically speaking, against K.C. in 60 seasons. Even in a game in which Len Dawson of the Chiefs had zero interceptions and threw 3 interceptions (ouch!), the Chiefs still won 27-3 because Domres was completely out of his element. He completed only 10 of 31 passes for 132 yards and 5 interceptions. It was the sort of performance that would result from throwing a random fan into the mix. To his credit, Domres would go on to play for several more years and start 32 games at the NFL level.

 Todd Marinovich, 1991

If you’re looking for the player with the best statistical debut against the Chiefs, it’s hard to beat the three-touchdown performance of Todd Marinovich of the Oakland Raiders back in the early ’90s. Others have had better passer ratings or thrown for more yards and his 56 percent completion rate wasn’t that great, but Marinovich wasn’t sacked all day and kept the Raiders close in an important game for the AFC West (the Raiders would have tied the Chiefs for the division lead if they’d won). The downside for Marinovich is that he’d be intercepted four times the following week by the Chiefs in a postseason matchup between the two teams again. As for Marinovich, he’d play several more games for the Raiders in 1992 but substance abuse issues (and lack of talent) would force him out of the NFL after that.