The Kansas City Chiefs are adding depth to their quarterback room, bringing in a familiar name with some NFL experience: Jake Haener. The former Saints signal-caller announced via Instagram that he’s signed with the Chiefs, giving Kansas City another arm heading into a pivotal offseason.
Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick, wrapped up the 2025 season on New Orleans’ practice squad but didn’t ink a futures deal to stay with the team. Now, he’ll head to the AFC West, where the Chiefs are looking to reinforce their QB depth behind Patrick Mahomes - especially with Mahomes working his way back from a torn ACL.
Last season, Haener found himself in a crowded quarterback competition in New Orleans. He battled with rookies Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough for positioning on the depth chart but ultimately landed third. That meant most of his time was spent on the practice squad, and he didn’t see any game action in 2025.
Still, Haener does have some regular-season reps under his belt. In 2024, he appeared in eight games and made one start.
His stat line: 18 completions on 39 attempts for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Modest numbers, but enough to show he can handle live snaps when called upon.
For the Chiefs, this move is about more than just filling a roster spot. With Mahomes recovering, offseason reps will be crucial for whoever is under center during OTAs and training camp.
Gardner Minshew and Chris Oladokun stepped in after Mahomes went down, but Minshew isn’t currently under contract for 2026. That opens the door for Haener to compete for a backup role - or at the very least, to be a steady presence in the quarterback room during Mahomes’ rehab.
It’s a low-risk, potentially valuable signing for Kansas City. Haener brings some game experience, a solid college résumé, and the kind of work ethic coaches love in a developmental quarterback. And in a league where backup QBs often find themselves one snap away from the spotlight, that kind of addition is never insignificant.