With Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL and his Week 1 status for the 2026 season still uncertain, the Kansas City Chiefs are staring down a quarterback conundrum they haven’t had to think about in years. And while Mahomes is very much still the face of the franchise, the team may need a reliable veteran to steady the ship-at least temporarily-if their star isn’t ready to go.
Gardner Minshew, who served as the primary backup in 2025, is set to hit free agency. Chris Oladokun remains on the roster, but asking him to step in as a Week 1 starter might be a stretch for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. That opens the door for Kansas City to explore the veteran quarterback market, and one name that’s starting to gain traction is Russell Wilson.
Yes, that Russell Wilson.
At 37, Wilson is no longer the dynamic playmaker who led the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. His 2025 stint with the New York Giants was brief and underwhelming-three starts, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and eventually a benching in favor of Jaxson Dart.
But the conversation around Wilson at this point in his career isn’t about rekindling his Pro Bowl form. It’s about what he can still offer: experience, poise, and a steady hand in a backup role.
That’s where the Chiefs come in.
Bringing in Wilson as a short-term bridge while Mahomes rehabs could be a smart, calculated move by general manager Brett Veach. The Chiefs don’t need a savior-they need someone who can manage the offense, avoid mistakes, and keep the team competitive until No. 15 is ready to return. Wilson, even in his current form, checks those boxes.
Financially, it’s a move that makes sense too. Spotrac projects Wilson’s market value at a one-year deal worth $5.7 million-a manageable price for a franchise that’s built to contend and can’t afford to let a slow start derail its season. And if Mahomes is back sooner than expected, Wilson slides into a veteran backup role without disrupting the locker room dynamic.
For Wilson, Kansas City could be an ideal final chapter. He’d join a stable organization with championship pedigree, work alongside one of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation, and potentially contribute to another deep playoff run-even if just in a supporting role.
The Chiefs aren’t in panic mode. But they’re also not in the business of leaving things to chance.
If Mahomes isn’t ready for Week 1, they’ll need someone who’s been there before. And while Wilson may no longer be a franchise quarterback, he might just be the right guy for this moment.