The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down one of their most unpredictable offseasons in years - and for once, it’s not about retooling around Patrick Mahomes. It’s about preparing for life without him, at least temporarily.
Mahomes’ torn ACL has cast a long shadow over the start of the 2026 season. While the team hasn’t ruled anything out, his Week 1 availability is very much in question. And when your franchise QB - the engine of your dynasty - is sidelined, you don’t leave anything to chance.
Enter Jake Haener.
The former Fresno State standout announced via Instagram that he’s signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs. That move was quickly confirmed, and while it won’t make front-page headlines, it’s a signal that Kansas City is already laying the groundwork for what could be a very different-looking quarterback room come training camp.
Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick by the Saints, spent the end of this past season on New Orleans’ practice squad, making him eligible to sign with another team once the regular season wrapped. And now, he’s got a locker in Kansas City.
Let’s be clear - this isn’t a Mahomes replacement. This is about depth, competition, and giving the coaching staff another arm to evaluate with Mahomes on the mend and the future of the current backups up in the air.
Gardner Minshew, who served as Mahomes’ primary backup in 2025, is headed for free agency. So is Chris Oladokun, the QB3. The Chiefs could look to bring one of them back, or even explore the veteran market for more experience, especially if Mahomes’ rehab timeline stretches deep into the regular season.
But Haener gets a leg up. He’s already in the building, already getting to work, and already starting to learn Andy Reid’s notoriously complex offensive system.
In terms of NFL experience, Haener got his feet wet in 2024, appearing in eight games and starting one. The numbers weren’t eye-popping - 18-of-39 passing for 226 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and 22 rushing yards on 11 carries - but they offered a glimpse of his mobility and willingness to push the ball downfield.
At 6-foot-1, Haener doesn’t fit the prototypical mold, but he’s a gamer with some athletic upside. The Chiefs clearly see enough potential to bring him into the fold and give him a shot to earn a spot in a quarterback room that could be in flux for the next several months.
The bottom line: Kansas City is bracing for uncertainty at the most critical position in football. Mahomes is still the guy - when healthy, he’s the best in the business.
But until he’s back under center, the Chiefs are going to explore every option. And Jake Haener, for now, is one of them.