Ranking every Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback since 1990
By Matt Conner
17. Mark Vlasic (1991)
Mark Vlasic is an interesting footnote in the history of Chiefs quarterbacks.
The former fourth-round pick of the San Diego Chargers kept winning backup jobs behind Steve DeBerg and Dave Krieg in the early ‘90s (over such other luminaries as Matt Blundin or Mike Elkins). Late in his first season in K.C., back in ‘91, Vlasic stepped in for an injured DeBerg (a fairly common occurrence) and played well under center in close divisional contests. He kept the chains moving, minimized mistakes, and even led the Chiefs to a win over the Chargers in Week 14.
Marty Schottenheimer decided to give Vlasic the start against the 49ers the following week, and the Chiefs’ history might read just a bit differently if Vlasic hadn’t gotten injured so early in the game. Instead, DeBerg reclaimed his role in a frustrating loss to Steve Bono and the Niners, and that was it. When Vlasic did get a turn in the postseason, he threw four interceptions against Buffalo, and that was it.
Vlasic would last another year in K.C., but he would never play another NFL snap.