The Kansas City Chiefs are still picking up the pieces after a 2025 season that went off the rails in just about every way imaginable. A 6-11 record was bad enough, but losing Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending ACL tear was the gut punch that defined the year. Now, with an eye on 2026, the Chiefs are making moves to stabilize the quarterback room behind their franchise star - just in case.
On Monday, Kansas City signed former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener, adding another layer of depth behind Mahomes. Haener, originally a fourth-round pick by the Saints, finished the 2025 season on New Orleans’ practice squad before his contract expired. With the door open, he’s now headed to the Chiefs to compete for a backup role.
At the moment, Haener joins Chris Oladokun as the only other quarterbacks on the roster behind Mahomes. Last year’s backup, Gardner Minshew, is set to hit free agency, leaving the Chiefs with a clear need to shore up the position - especially with Mahomes still rehabbing his knee.
Haener’s NFL experience is limited. Over three seasons with the Saints, he appeared in a handful of games, making just one start.
His stat line: 18 completions on 39 attempts, 226 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception. Not eye-popping, but the Chiefs aren’t bringing him in to light up the scoreboard - they’re looking for stability, someone who can take reps in camp and potentially step in if needed.
As for Mahomes, the early signals are encouraging. He’s pushing to be ready for Week 1 and has his sights set on participating in OTAs and training camp.
But even with the optimism surrounding his recovery, ACL injuries are tricky - and timelines aren’t always linear. Just because Mahomes might be cleared doesn’t mean he’ll be the same magician we’re used to seeing right away.
That’s why this offseason is critical for Kansas City, and not just at quarterback. The team is currently a staggering $54.53 million over the salary cap, which means GM Brett Veach and the front office have some serious financial gymnastics ahead. Restructures, cuts, and tough decisions are coming - and that’s before even thinking about adding talent.
One area that could use attention? The offensive line.
Mahomes is elite at extending plays, but asking him to do it on one good leg - or while he’s still finding his rhythm post-injury - is a recipe for disaster. The Chiefs would be wise to invest in more protection up front, especially if they want to hit the ground running in 2026.
There’s also the question of whether they’ll add another quarterback to the mix. Haener and Oladokun give them bodies, but do they have a true insurance policy if Mahomes isn’t ready? That remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that this offseason will be one of the most pivotal in recent memory for the Chiefs. Between Mahomes’ rehab, the salary cap crunch, and the need to retool a roster that underperformed last year, there’s no shortage of storylines to watch. Chiefs Kingdom will be holding its breath - and watching every move - as the team tries to reset and reload for another run.