Ranking KC Chiefs backup quarterback options from worst to best

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne throws against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half in the AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne throws against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half in the AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 08: Sam Darnold #14 of the Carolina Panthers looks to throw the ball during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on January 08, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 08: Sam Darnold #14 of the Carolina Panthers looks to throw the ball during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on January 08, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Sam Darnold (a.k.a. the reclamation project)

Consider this the hybrid option.

While some fans are going to major on security from a fear-based perspective, others are going to lean toward the development of a potential roster asset and a higher ceiling. Yet for those who can see it from both sides, we present to you: the reclamation project.

Every year or two, the Chiefs are going to be able to survey the NFL landscape and find one or more options among available quarterbacks who come with a good amount of draft buzz in their history. For this year, Sam Darnold is one such option.

Consider this: Darnold has five years of starting experience with 55 starts in five NFL seasons and yet he’s still just only 25 years old. It feels like ages since Darnold was called the most pro-ready quarterback prospect in his class, even drawing comps to Andrew Luck, but it really wasn’t that long ago. While the New York Jets have already found another quarterback bust since ridding themselves of Darnold, the truth is that Darnold has plenty of life left in the league if he can find his footing.

If Darnold is out of starting options, what better place to rehabilitate his stock and learn what he needs to get better than Kansas City? In this way, it would give the Chiefs a player with some measure of experience who might produce a bit of upside. In short, a bit of both sides.