Chris Oladokun Steps In, Steps Up: Chiefs’ Young QB Delivers Grit in Tough Loss to Titans
It’s not the way you script it. Third-string quarterbacks aren’t supposed to be leading drives in December with playoff implications on the line. But that’s exactly where the Kansas City Chiefs found themselves on Sunday - and Chris Oladokun didn’t flinch.
With Patrick Mahomes officially sidelined for the season after a torn ACL and Gardner Minshew exiting early against the Titans with a knee injury of his own, the Chiefs turned to Oladokun - a name most fans hadn’t heard since he was drafted in the seventh round by Pittsburgh back in 2022. What followed wasn’t a miracle comeback, but it was a gutsy, poised performance from a quarterback who had barely taken a meaningful snap in the NFL.
“You see Gardner go down, and I hate it for him,” Oladokun said postgame. “Then it’s like, ‘Alright, it’s my turn. Let’s rally the guys and go try to win this thing.’”
And rally he did. On his first NFL drive, Oladokun connected with none other than Travis Kelce - a moment he called surreal, even though the two have built a strong relationship during their time together in Kansas City.
“If you would’ve told me my first NFL completion would be to Travis Kelce,” Oladokun said with a smile, “I probably would’ve laughed at you.”
That first connection helped set up a 54-yard field goal from Harrison Butker, briefly giving Kansas City a 3-2 lead - their only one of the afternoon. But the real spark came later, when Oladokun, who hadn’t taken a two-minute drill rep since training camp, orchestrated a drive before halftime to close the gap to three.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a warm body under center. Oladokun brought energy, rhythm, and a sense of urgency the offense had been missing. Kansas City had been stuck in neutral with a clearly hobbled Minshew, but Oladokun’s mobility and quick decision-making gave the Chiefs some much-needed juice.
“He did OK,” head coach Andy Reid said afterward. “Got us moving a little bit.
I probably could’ve helped him out with better calls - and more reps during the week. But for what he was asked to do, I thought he did a nice job.”
The numbers won’t blow you away - 11-of-16 for 111 yards, plus seven on the ground - but they don’t tell the full story. This was a quarterback thrown into the fire, and he didn’t blink.
And if you’re wondering whether Mahomes is still making an impact despite the injury, just ask Oladokun who the first text was from when he checked his phone postgame.
“Mahomes,” he said. “He’s like a big brother to me.”
That mentorship showed up in real time early in the third quarter. Facing pressure, Oladokun rolled out to the right - Mahomes-style - and, with linebackers closing in, floated a perfect pass to Isiah Pacheco for a 31-yard gain. It was one of the most impressive plays of the day, not just for the execution, but for the poise and awareness it required.
“As soon as I threw it, I looked right at the line of scrimmage,” Oladokun said. “I’ve seen [Mahomes] do that so many times, it’s just where my mind went.”
Now, with both Mahomes and Minshew unavailable, Oladokun is expected to make his first NFL start on Christmas night against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. It’s a high-stakes moment - not just for the Chiefs, who are still clawing for position, but for Oladokun, who’s suddenly center stage.
“Chris, he’s been out there,” said rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. “You’ve seen him in preseason - he’s made plays. We’re going to go out there and work for him.”
And make no mistake, the Chiefs are still fighting. Sunday’s lineup might not have been ideal, but the effort?
That was vintage Kansas City. If Oladokun can lead the team to an upset over Denver, it could shake up the AFC playoff picture - potentially knocking the Broncos out of the No. 1 seed conversation entirely.
“I’m ready for the opportunity,” Oladokun said. “It’s not just big for me, it’s big for all of us. A lot of young guys are getting experience, and that’s going to matter - not just now, but for years to come here in Kansas City.”
And yes, the timing adds a little magic to the moment.
“Christmas Day. First start.
Family in town. It’s special,” he said.
Andy Reid confirmed that GM Brett Veach will bring in another quarterback this week - likely to back up Oladokun. But make no mistake, this is Chris Oladokun’s moment now.
It’s not how he imagined his first NFL start would come. But sometimes, opportunity doesn’t knock - it storms through the door. And on Sunday, Oladokun answered.