With Patrick Mahomes sidelined for the season due to a knee injury and Gardner Minshew nursing a knee bruise of his own, the Kansas City Chiefs are suddenly staring down a quarterback conundrum just days before their Thursday night matchup against the Denver Broncos. And in a twist that underscores the unpredictability of the NFL, the next man up could be a familiar face in an unfamiliar jersey: Shane Buechele.
Buechele, who spent two seasons with the Chiefs before joining the Buffalo Bills in August 2023, is now being looked at as a potential emergency starter for Kansas City. It’s a full-circle moment for the former SMU standout, who’s gone from a developmental QB on the Chiefs' practice squad to a possible Week 16 starter in a primetime divisional clash.
Let’s unpack what this means for the Chiefs - and why Buechele might be more than just a stopgap.
A Sudden Shift at QB
The Chiefs’ quarterback room went from one of the most stable in the league to a scramble drill in a matter of days. Mahomes, the face of the franchise and one of the league’s most durable stars, is now out for the year. Minshew, who had been brought in as a capable and experienced backup, is dealing with a knee bruise that’s put his Thursday availability in serious doubt.
That leaves Kansas City with limited options - and Buechele, who knows Andy Reid’s system inside and out, could be the best one they’ve got.
Why Buechele Makes Sense
Buechele may not have game-day reps in a Chiefs uniform, but he spent two full years immersed in Reid’s complex offensive system. That matters. Timing, terminology, and trust - all crucial for a quarterback stepping in midweek - are already baked into Buechele’s relationship with the Chiefs’ coaching staff.
Since joining the Bills in 2023, Buechele has been working behind Josh Allen, learning under another high-powered offense. While he hasn’t seen regular-season action, he’s stayed sharp in practice and preseason, and his familiarity with Kansas City's playbook gives him a real edge over any outside option.
What It Means for the Chiefs Offense
If Buechele does get the nod, expect the Chiefs to lean heavily on their run game and short passing concepts early to get him into rhythm. Kansas City still boasts a versatile group of weapons - from dynamic backs to reliable tight ends - and Reid has a long history of tailoring game plans to fit his quarterback’s strengths.
But make no mistake: this would be a major test. Buechele would be stepping into a high-stakes divisional matchup with playoff implications on the line. The Broncos’ defense has been opportunistic all season, and they’ll be licking their chops at the chance to pressure a young quarterback making his first NFL start.
Bigger Picture: Chiefs’ Resilience on the Line
This is where championship DNA gets tested. The Chiefs have weathered injuries before, but losing Mahomes is a seismic blow. If Minshew can’t go and Buechele gets the call, it’ll be up to the rest of the roster - the offensive line, the defense, the coaching staff - to rally around him.
We’ve seen Kansas City rise to the occasion in the past. Now, they’ll need to do it again, possibly with a third-string quarterback under center and a division rival across the line of scrimmage.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t how the Chiefs drew it up. But in the NFL, the next man up mantra is more than just a cliché - it’s survival. Shane Buechele may not have been part of the plan, but if he’s under center Thursday night, he’ll carry the weight of a team still fighting for postseason position.
And if he can deliver - even just enough to steady the ship - it’ll be yet another reminder of how deep preparation and familiarity with a system can make all the difference when chaos strikes.