Four minor moves that made a big difference for KC Chiefs in ’22
By Matt Conner
Bring back Chad Henne
In a way, it’s amazing that re-signing backup quarterback Chad Henne could make a list like this with the Chiefs still in place as a Super Bowl contender. Typically when a backup plays an important role in a season, the level of success will fall, especially if the man replaced is Patrick Mahomes, the favorite to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.
The good news for the Chiefs is that Mahomes was healthy enough to take almost every single snap in the 2022 campaign and yet, when he wasn’t, they also had a savvy veteran ready to take over with several years of experience in Andy Reid’s playbook. And when Henne was needed, he did exactly what the Chiefs needed to keep them moving toward their goal of returning to the Super Bowl.
Henne has been a rarely used substitute for most of his four seasons in Kansas City, with only 59 passing attempts to show for it in the regular season. However, moments like Mahomes’ ankle sprain earlier this postseason, show exactly how valuable Henne can be when it matters, and no one in Chiefs Kingdom will ever forget watching Henne lead a 98-yard drive with Mahomes on the sideline in the Divisional Round win over Jacksonville.
The Chiefs could easily begin a youth movement behind Mahomes at this point given his experience, and perhaps that will happen with Steve Buechele and some competition next year. But the decision to bring back Henne one more time was a brilliant stroke to maintain continuity and keep a steady hand around when Mahomes cannot take the field.