Over the last (near) decade, the Kansas City Chiefs have rarely had to think about life without Patrick Mahomes, but smart roster building demands preparation at every level of the depth chart. It's also now a bigger concern with Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL.
Day three quarterbacks are not about succession planning in Kansas City; they are about functionality, development, and system fit. If Mahomes misses snaps, the goal is not reinvention; it is stability.
In that context, Joe Fagnano (Connecticut), Cole Payton (North Dakota State), and Luke Altmyer (Illinois) each offer traits worth exploring as developmental backups who can keep the offense operational.
Joe Fagnano, UConn
Fagnano’s appeal begins with his arm talent and athleticism. He isn’t a pure runner, but he moves well enough to extend plays and operate outside structure, something critical in a Chiefs offense that thrives when plays break down.
At UConn, Fagnano showed poise as a starter, winning games in a program that has struggled for consistency. His best work comes in the intermediate areas of the field, where timing, touch, and anticipation matter more than arm strength, but he’s more than comfortable throwing downfield and giving his guy a shot to make a play. He has traits that translate well to a high-variance NFL environment.
Luke Altmyer, Illinois
Altmyer brings a similar profile, but against a higher level of weekly competition in the Big Ten. At Illinois, he developed into a steady presence who learned how to manage games, protect the football, and attack defenses between the numbers.
Altmyer is a fluid athlete with enough mobility to handle boot action and second-reaction plays, and his willingness to challenge tight windows at the second level fits the Chiefs’ emphasis on rhythm throws and yards after catch.
The former Ole Miss transfer isn’t flashy, but his growth curve suggests a quarterback who understands how to operate within structure, an important baseline for any Mahomes understudy.
Cole Payton, NDSU
Payton is the most unconventional of the trio, but perhaps the most intriguing in terms of developmental upside. North Dakota State’s quarterback room is built on discipline, physicality, and winning habits, and Payton reflects that background to a T.
While his passing résumé is lighter than the others, his athletic profile stands out. Payton is a legitimate runner with size and toughness, capable of stressing defenses with designed movement and zone-read concepts.
In Kansas City, that skill set could expand the backup offense rather than merely replicate the starter, forcing opponents to prepare for something different during spot duty.
None of these quarterbacks is a threat to Mahomes’ role, nor should they be evaluated through that lens. Instead, they represent cost-controlled, coachable options who can learn the system, contribute in the preseason, and provide insurance if needed.
For a team perpetually drafting late, identifying value at quarterback on day three is less about upside and more about reliability, and all three fit that bill in different ways.