Chiefs backup QB clear

Gardner Minshew appears to have secured the No 2 role behind Patrick Mahomes, while the race for the third string continues.

Chiefs lock in backup quarterback job after Friday preseason game

In Friday night’s second preseason game, Gardner Minshew completed 7 of 9 passes for 70 yards and threw a touchdown to Robert Tonyan, reinforcing his lead for the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback job behind Patrick Mahomes. Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun combined for 40 yards on 7 of 11 passing, leaving the third-string order unsettled.

The Chiefs have two more preseason games to determine whether they keep three quarterbacks on the active roster. If Minshew remains steady, the depth chart behind Mahomes could safely feature three quarterbacks, with Zappe and Oladokun battling for the final spot.

Minshew's edge rests on more than the box score. Command of the offense, timing with targets, and leadership in the huddle matter when the games matter most. In a Mahomes-led system, the backup's job is to manage, not to steal the spotlight.

Kansas City's approach mirrors a broader NFL shift toward flexible quarterback depth. Keeping three QBs gives a safety valve against injuries and scheme changes, but it also stretches the roster and cap resources. The next two weeks will reveal how much the staff values steady hands over potential upside.

Highlights

The depth chart will keep evolving as the preseason unfolds.