The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into an offseason of significant change at the quarterback position - and it’s shaping up to be one of the most active winters in recent memory for the reigning AFC powerhouse.
The headline, of course, is Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a torn ACL. That alone would shake up any team’s offseason plans.
But when you combine that with the fact that Kansas City doesn’t have a proven veteran backup under contract, it’s clear the quarterback depth chart is wide open behind No. 15.
The good news? Free agency and the draft offer plenty of opportunity to address that.
In the meantime, general manager Brett Veach is wasting no time getting the wheels turning. The Chiefs are bringing in former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener, who reportedly chose Kansas City after his practice squad contract with the Saints expired.
Haener is a name that might not jump off the page, but there’s some intrigue here. A fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (No. 127 overall), Haener made his name at Fresno State with sharp decision-making, leadership traits, and a fearless approach under center. He’s not the biggest or flashiest quarterback, and scouts had concerns about his physical tools, but he’s always been a gamer - the kind of guy who earns respect in the locker room.
Last season, Haener was active for eight games with the Saints during what turned out to be a tough year in New Orleans. With Derek Carr nearing the end of his run and Spencer Rattler seeing time, the Saints were in flux, and Haener got his shot in five games. He even started the season finale, though it was a rough outing - 4 of 10 for 49 yards and an interception in a narrow 20-19 loss to Washington.
Still, this is a low-risk, developmental signing for Kansas City. And right now, that’s exactly the kind of move that makes sense.
The Chiefs are coming off a brutal end to their season, losing both Mahomes and Gardner Minshew to season-ending injuries in back-to-back weeks (Weeks 15 and 16). That left Chris Oladokun to finish out the year under center.
He had some flashes - particularly in the second matchup against Denver - but overall, he looked like a young quarterback still adjusting to the speed of the game. Shane Buechele was briefly in the mix as well, but he returned to the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad once the Chiefs’ season wrapped.
So where does that leave things?
Oladokun and Haener will likely compete for a spot on the scout team or potentially the QB3 role, depending on how things shake out. Neither is expected to be the primary backup, and the Chiefs are almost certain to bring in more experienced competition as the offseason unfolds. But this kind of signing fits a familiar pattern for Kansas City - bringing in young, developmental arms to see if they can find a diamond in the rough.
Over the years, the Chiefs have cycled through a number of these types: Shane Buechele, Anthony Gordon, Ian Book, Dustin Crum, Shea Patterson, Jordan Ta’amu. Haener now joins that list. Most of those names didn’t stick, but every offseason brings a fresh evaluation period, and the Chiefs are always looking for a player who might surprise.
Bottom line: this is just the first of what figures to be several moves at quarterback for Kansas City. With Mahomes on the mend, the backup job wide open, and the draft/free agency still ahead, expect the Chiefs to cast a wide net. Haener’s signing doesn’t shift the depth chart in a major way - but it does signal that the Chiefs are already laying the groundwork for what could be a very busy quarterback room in 2026.