Chris Oladokun Steps Into the Spotlight as Chiefs’ Starting QB
When Chris Oladokun’s friend Jake made the drive from Asheville to Nashville last weekend, he was expecting to see his buddy in a Chiefs uniform-just not under center. But as he looked up at the video board inside Nissan Stadium, there was No. 19, helmet on, calling plays.
That wasn’t just a cameo. Oladokun was in the game.
With Gardner Minshew sidelined by a knee injury-and Patrick Mahomes already out-Oladokun suddenly found himself thrust into his first meaningful NFL action. It wasn’t mop-up duty this time. It was real snaps, real pressure, and real opportunity.
And while the Chiefs ultimately fell 26-9 to the Titans, Oladokun made the most of his moment. The former practice-squad regular completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards. No touchdowns, no picks-but plenty to build on.
“For a first outing, I felt really proud of myself,” Oladokun said. “And not only in myself, but the guys were awesome with me.”
That support was evident from the moment he stepped into the huddle. Veteran guard Trey Smith made it a point to have his quarterback’s back-literally and figuratively.
“Every single drive,” Oladokun said, “Trey would look back at me and say, ‘I’ve got your back.’ That speaks to his character and the whole offense that they rallied behind me like that.”
It’s that kind of leadership and locker room culture that helps a young quarterback settle in. And according to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Oladokun didn’t take long to show he was ready.
Early in the second quarter, the Chiefs called a play involving jet motion-a slot receiver sprinting across the formation pre-snap. But the timing was off.
Instead of forcing it, Oladokun calmly reset the play.
“He stopped the motion, let the guy get set, got the back in the right spot, and made a simple play,” Nagy said. “That speaks to his calm and where he was early in the game.”
That poise didn’t go unnoticed. For a player who’s spent most of his time in Kansas City watching from the sideline or working behind the scenes in practice, this was a significant step forward.
Oladokun has been with the Chiefs since 2022 and saw his first NFL snaps in last year’s regular-season finale against the Broncos-just five plays in a blowout. But this time, he got 31 meaningful snaps and the keys to the offense for a full stretch.
And now, with Mahomes and Minshew both still out, Oladokun is taking every first-team rep in practice heading into the Chiefs’ Christmas night matchup against Denver.
“There’s a little more electricity because I’m the guy actually going through it,” he said.
He’s not going it alone, though. Oladokun has spent his time in Kansas City learning from some of the best. From Mahomes to Chad Henne, and even Shane Buechele-who was recently signed off the Bills’ practice squad to back him up-Oladokun has absorbed everything he could.
“When I first got here, I was sitting next to (Mahomes) every single day,” Oladokun said. “And I’d watch how he goes about his work.”
Now, it’s his turn to put that preparation into practice. No more clipboard.
No more scout team. When the first-team offense is called at practice, Oladokun isn’t watching anymore.
“I’ll actually be running out there,” he said.
It’s a big moment for the young quarterback-and a big test for the Chiefs as they navigate an unusual stretch without their franchise cornerstone. But if last weekend was any indication, Oladokun’s calm demeanor, steady decision-making, and the support of a veteran locker room could give Kansas City just enough juice to keep pushing forward.
The lights are bright, the moment is real, and Chris Oladokun is ready to run with it.