The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into unfamiliar territory-and it's happening fast. For a franchise that’s had rock-solid quarterback stability since Patrick Mahomes took over in 2018, the past two weeks have flipped the script in a big way.
Not only have the Chiefs been officially eliminated from playoff contention, but they’ve also lost both Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew to season-ending knee injuries. That’s left Kansas City scrambling at the game’s most important position, just days before a Christmas night matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Enter Chris Oladokun. The 28-year-old quarterback, who had never thrown an NFL pass before Sunday, was suddenly thrust into action against the Titans.
And while the game itself got away from Kansas City, Oladokun showed some poise in a tough spot-completing 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards in a lopsided loss. It was a small sample, but it gave fans and coaches at least a glimpse of what he might bring to the table.
Now, with a short week and a primetime holiday game looming, all signs point to Oladokun getting the start against Denver. It’s a massive moment for a player who’s taken the long road to this opportunity.
His college journey included stops at South Florida and Samford before landing at South Dakota State, where he led the Jackrabbits to an 11-4 record in 2021. That season, he threw for over 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns-good numbers, but not the kind that usually lead to immediate NFL stardom.
Still, he impressed enough to land a spot in Kansas City’s quarterback room, and now, out of necessity, he’s getting his shot.
To bolster the depth chart, the Chiefs also signed Shane Buechele on Monday. Like Oladokun, Buechele has yet to throw a pass in a regular-season NFL game.
He turns 28 soon and was most recently on the Bills’ practice squad, but he’s no stranger to Kansas City-he spent time with the team earlier in his career. Buechele had a strong college run himself, starting at Texas before transferring to SMU and putting up big numbers.
Still, it looks like this is Oladokun’s moment. And it’s a big one.
The Broncos are surging and still very much in the playoff hunt, while the Chiefs-usually the team to beat in December-are now playing for pride and evaluation. That dynamic flips the usual script for this AFC West rivalry.
Kansas City’s offense has long been defined by Mahomes’ creativity and command, but now it’ll be about grit, adaptability, and seeing what this team can do when everything doesn’t go according to plan. For Oladokun, it’s a chance to prove he belongs. For the Chiefs, it’s a test of depth and resilience in a season that’s taken a hard left turn.
Christmas night at Arrowhead won’t have the playoff implications we’re used to seeing, but it will have stakes. For a quarterback making his first NFL start, for a team trying to find its footing, and for a franchise that’s suddenly looking ahead to an offseason full of questions.