Chiefs Add QB Jake Haener to Offseason Roster Amid Mahomes Recovery
The Kansas City Chiefs are adding another arm to their quarterback room, signing Jake Haener to the 90-man offseason roster. The 26-year-old quarterback announced the move himself via Instagram, marking a new chapter in his young NFL journey.
Haener, a fourth-round pick out of Fresno State in the 2023 NFL Draft, spent the past two seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He saw limited action in 2024, appearing in eight games and making one start - a Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders. That outing was a rough one: Haener completed just 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards in the first half before being replaced by rookie Spencer Rattler.
By 2025, Haener found himself on the Saints’ practice squad, buried on the depth chart behind Tyler Shough and Rattler. Now, he gets a fresh opportunity in Kansas City - and while it’s not a guaranteed path to the 53-man roster, it’s a shot to prove himself in one of the league’s most competitive quarterback rooms.
This move comes at a pivotal time for the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is rehabbing from ACL and LCL surgery, a rare and serious injury for the two-time MVP. While the expectation is that Mahomes will be ready for the season, Kansas City is wisely preparing for all scenarios.
Currently, Chris Oladokun is under contract for 2026, while Gardner Minshew - Mahomes’ primary backup this past season - is set to hit free agency. That leaves Kansas City with some decisions to make. The team is still expected to pursue a veteran backup to support Mahomes, but Haener and Oladokun are now in line to compete for the third-string role, likely a practice squad spot.
For Haener, this is a low-risk, high-upside opportunity. He gets to learn from Andy Reid, work in one of the NFL’s most innovative offensive systems, and share a quarterback room with Mahomes - even if only temporarily. And for the Chiefs, it’s another calculated move to build depth and maintain continuity at the game’s most important position.
With Mahomes on the mend and roster spots up for grabs, the offseason quarterback competition in Kansas City just got a little more interesting.