Gardner Minshew Set to Start for Chiefs After Mahomes' Season-Ending ACL Injury
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a massive shift under center. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL suffered in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew is expected to take over as the starter for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
It’s a gut punch for a team that’s built its identity around Mahomes’ brilliance. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that Minshew isn’t some wide-eyed rookie being thrown into the fire - he’s been here before. And while he’s no Mahomes (because, really, who is?), Minshew brings experience, poise, and a gunslinger’s mentality that could help steady the ship as Kansas City adjusts to life without its franchise cornerstone.
A Well-Traveled Quarterback With Starting Experience
Minshew’s NFL journey has been anything but linear. Drafted in the sixth round back in 2019 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he quickly found himself on the field after an injury to the starter in Week 1 of his rookie season. That year, he didn’t just survive - he thrived, setting a franchise record for rookie touchdown passes and capturing the imagination of fans with his fearless play and unmistakable swagger.
Since then, Minshew has made stops in Philadelphia (2021-2022), Indianapolis (2023), Las Vegas (2024), and finally landed in Kansas City ahead of the 2025 season. Along the way, he’s shown flashes of starting-caliber talent, most notably with the Colts in 2023, where he played well enough to earn a Pro Bowl nod as an alternate.
That season in Indy marked the last time Minshew held a full-time starting job, but it also reinforced what many around the league already knew - he’s more than capable of stepping in and keeping an offense afloat.
A College Star With a Competitive Edge
Before his NFL journey began, Minshew made a name for himself at Washington State, where he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2018. His time under Mike Leach in that Air Raid system helped shape him into the quick-trigger, high-IQ quarterback we see today - a player who isn’t afraid to take chances but knows how to manage a game when needed.
That background could serve him well now, especially in an Andy Reid system that values timing, rhythm, and decision-making. The Chiefs don’t need Minshew to be Mahomes - they need him to be sharp, steady, and ready to lead.
Andy Reid on Minshew: “He’s Played Before”
Following the injury to Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid didn’t mince words when asked about turning the offense over to Minshew.
“He’s played before,” Reid said. “That’s a tough deal.
He’s a big boy. I mean, he’s done it - he’s played before, so he understands the role.”
That’s classic Reid - no panic, just confidence in the next man up. And in this case, the next man up is someone who’s been through the NFL grind, who’s started games in multiple systems, and who’s shown he can handle the pressure.
What’s Next for the Chiefs?
With the regular season winding down and the playoff picture still taking shape, Kansas City now leans on Minshew’s veteran presence to guide an offense that’s used to operating at a high level. The pieces around him - from the offensive line to the skill positions - remain intact, and the coaching staff knows how to tailor a game plan to fit a quarterback’s strengths.
It’s a new chapter for the Chiefs in 2025, and while it comes under tough circumstances, Gardner Minshew has a chance to write a compelling one. The stakes are high, the moment is big - and Minshew, as always, is ready to compete.