The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down an offseason full of questions, and none looms larger than the status of Patrick Mahomes. After suffering a torn ACL, the franchise quarterback’s return timeline is still up in the air-and with Week 1 of the 2026 season creeping closer by the day, Kansas City has to start thinking about a Plan B under center.
There’s no shortage of quarterback options hitting free agency this offseason, and the trade market could offer a few intriguing names as well. But sometimes the smartest move is the simplest one. In this case, that might just be bringing back Gardner Minshew.
Minshew was Mahomes’ backup in 2025 before he, too, went down with a season-ending knee injury. The good news?
His injury wasn’t an ACL tear, and reports suggest he should be ready to go well before Mahomes. That puts him in a unique position: a veteran who already knows the system, has built-in chemistry with the locker room, and could step in as a short-term starter if needed.
Let’s not forget, Minshew’s no stranger to this type of situation. Back in 2023, he filled in for the injured Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis and kept the Colts in the playoff hunt. He’s not the kind of quarterback who will light up the stat sheet every week, but he brings experience, poise, and just enough playmaking to keep an offense moving-especially one as talented as Kansas City’s.
And while the mustache and moxie have made him a fan favorite, what really matters here is his ability to steady the ship. The Chiefs are coming off a shocking 6-11 season, one that fell well below expectations.
If Mahomes isn’t ready to start the year, they can’t afford to stumble out of the gate again. The early stretch of the season could define whether this team bounces back or falls further behind in a competitive AFC.
Minshew might not be a long-term solution, but that’s not what Kansas City needs right now. What they need is someone who can manage the offense, avoid costly mistakes, and give them a fighting chance until No. 15 is ready to return. If the front office feels confident in what they saw from Minshew last year, bringing him back could be the kind of low-key move that pays big dividends.
In a league where quarterback depth can make or break a season, familiarity and steadiness matter. And with Mahomes’ recovery still uncertain, Gardner Minshew might just be the right fit at the right time-for the second year in a row.