Over the past decade, the Kansas City Chiefs have lived in a football reality most franchises can only dream of: Patrick Mahomes under center, week in and week out. But in the NFL, even the most stable situations demand contingency plans-especially now, with Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL.
That’s where smart roster building comes into play. Not with the goal of replacing Mahomes, but with a focus on maintaining offensive continuity if he's ever sidelined.
Kansas City’s approach to late-round quarterbacks isn’t about grooming a successor. It’s about identifying players who can step in, steady the ship, and keep the offense on schedule.
Think less about fireworks and more about functionality. In that light, three names stand out as intriguing developmental options: Joe Fagnano (UConn), Luke Altmyer (Illinois), and Cole Payton (North Dakota State).
Each brings a different flavor to the table, but all fit the Chiefs’ blueprint for depth behind No. 15.
Joe Fagnano - UConn
Fagnano’s game starts with a live arm and enough mobility to make things happen when the play breaks down-an essential trait in a Chiefs offense that thrives in chaos. While he’s not a true dual-threat, he moves well enough to escape pressure and extend plays, which is invaluable in an offense built around Mahomes’ improvisational brilliance.
At UConn, Fagnano held his own in a program that’s been in rebuild mode for years. He showed poise in the pocket and a solid command of the intermediate passing game-areas where timing, touch, and anticipation matter more than pure arm strength.
That’s where he shines. But he’s not afraid to take shots downfield either, giving receivers a chance to make plays in one-on-one situations.
He’s the kind of quarterback who can keep the offense functional if called upon, without needing to reinvent the scheme.
Luke Altmyer - Illinois
Altmyer comes with a similar skill set but a different pedigree. After transferring from Ole Miss, he settled into the Illinois offense and became a steady, reliable presence in the Big Ten. That’s no small feat, especially given the level of competition he faced week in and week out.
What stands out about Altmyer is his ability to manage games without going into a shell. He protects the football, makes smart decisions, and works the middle of the field with confidence.
He’s also a smooth athlete-more than capable of handling bootlegs, rollouts, and second-reaction plays. His willingness to throw into tight windows at the second level fits nicely with the Chiefs’ emphasis on rhythm and yards after catch.
He may not wow you with flash, but he plays within structure and understands how to keep the offense moving. That’s exactly what you want in a backup.
Cole Payton - North Dakota State
Then there’s Cole Payton, the wild card of the group-and maybe the most intriguing. At NDSU, Payton was molded in a system that values discipline, toughness, and winning habits. While his passing résumé isn’t as extensive as Fagnano’s or Altmyer’s, his athleticism jumps off the tape.
This is a quarterback who can legitimately hurt defenses with his legs. He’s big, physical, and thrives in designed run concepts and zone-read looks.
In Kansas City, that opens up the possibility of tailoring the offense around his strengths in a spot-start scenario. Rather than trying to replicate Mahomes’ style, Payton could give defenses something completely different to prepare for.
That kind of contrast can be a weapon.
The Bigger Picture
None of these quarterbacks is being groomed to take over the reins from Mahomes. That’s not the point.
What they offer is cost-controlled depth, coachability, and the potential to grow within Andy Reid’s system. They’re the kind of guys who can contribute in the preseason, soak up reps in practice, and, if needed, step in without the offense falling apart.
For a team that’s consistently picking late in the draft, finding value at quarterback on Day Three is about reliability more than upside. And in Fagnano, Altmyer, and Payton, the Chiefs have three very different-but equally viable-options to keep the offense on track if adversity strikes.