The Kansas City Chiefs have every reason to consider major changes to the quarterback position this offseason given the lack of a proven backup on the roster and the uncertainty surounding the recovery timeline for Patrick Mahomes after suffering a torn ACL and LCL in Week 15. However, if the Chiefs wanted to give last season's QB2 a longer look as a spot starter, he's going to be healthy enough to do so.
Last spring, the Chiefs signed Gardner Minshew to a one-year deal in free agency to serve as Mahomes' backup, giving them yet another veteran with proven experience behind Mahomes. Unfortunately for both player and team, Minshew suffered a season-ending knee injury himself shortly after the Chiefs also lost Mahomes, which forced scout-team quarterback Chris Oladokun up from the practice squad to start for the rest of the regular season.
Within the first few offensive plays for the Chiefs in a Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans, Minshew went down with a severe injury that was initially believed to be another torn ACL. Mahomes had suffered the same fate in the final minutes of Week 15 against the L.A. Chargers, making it seem as if the Chiefs were cursed in a season that was already lost.
Gardner Minshew is already back to full health, putting him firmly back in the mix as the Chiefs sort out their quarterback plans this offseason.
After the initial reports of a far-worse injury, Minshew's condition was upgraded, and while it was clear he would still be out for the duration of 2025, his outlook of returning with plenty of time to spare for offseason workouts and training camp was improved. Now, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter has word that Minshew is back to full health already, well ahead of the start of a new league year.
The timing of Minshew's improved health is important because free agency begins in March and the veteran quarterback will be available on the open market. If he enjoyed his time in Kansas City, he might be up for a return to Arrowhead knowing that his presence is even more important than ever with Mahomes facing such an uphill climb back from a devastating injury.
That said, the Chiefs have rotated veteran backups behind Mahomes for several seasons now, which makes it impossible to tell how they might proceed at the position. Someone will be signed, but Minshew came after Carson Wentz, who came after Blaine Gabbert, who came after Chad Henne. Maybe someone like Marcus Mariota is next in line as a free-agent QB to be. However, it would make sense to have a familiar face to allow for some continuity and security at the position.
So far, Mahomes is looking good in his rehab, and it's entirely possible that he's back under center for the Chiefs from the first snap of the season. But it's vital for the Chiefs to bring a greater focus on QB2 and even further depth this offseason, knowing anything is possible. The Chiefs don't want a repeat of 2025 in any way, shape, or form. Firming up the QB depth chart is a part of that prevention effort.