Chris Oladokun Steps Up for the Chiefs, Channels Mahomes in Surprise NFL Start
If you’d told Chris Oladokun a few months ago that he’d be starting an NFL game this season, he probably would’ve laughed it off. And who could blame him? As the Kansas City Chiefs’ third-string quarterback, Oladokun had spent the past four years mostly watching from the sidelines, logging minimal first-team reps and waiting for a chance that, frankly, didn’t seem like it was coming.
But here we are.
With both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew sidelined by season-ending injuries, Oladokun was suddenly thrust into the spotlight on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos - and he didn’t just hold his own. He made plays that had fans doing double-takes, wondering if No. 15 had somehow snuck back onto the field.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the game was tied 13-13 - and Oladokun was a big reason why. He wasn’t just managing the offense, he was creating moments.
One of the night’s most jaw-dropping plays came early in the third quarter, when he dropped the ball mid-play, recovered, and still managed to complete a pass under pressure. It was the kind of off-script magic we’re used to seeing from Mahomes himself - and social media lit up accordingly.
One play, one improvisation, and suddenly the internet was flooded with takes. “That’s a Mahomes-type play,” one fan posted.
Another joked, “Goes to show Mahomes is a system QB if an FCS QB can do the same.” Of course, that’s a bit tongue-in-cheek - no one’s seriously questioning Mahomes’ greatness - but it speaks volumes about how well Oladokun was performing in the moment.
And he wasn’t done.
Later in the fourth quarter, Oladokun escaped pressure from two Broncos defenders and found JuJu Smith-Schuster in stride - another improvisational gem that felt eerily familiar to Chiefs fans. It wasn’t just about the throw; it was the poise, the creativity, the ability to extend the play and make something out of nothing. That’s the Mahomes blueprint, and Oladokun was running it with confidence.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t about replacing Mahomes. Nobody’s doing that.
But what Oladokun did was step into an impossible situation - prime time, playoff implications, against a tough Denver defense - and deliver. He made smart reads, stayed composed, and gave Kansas City a fighting chance in a game that could’ve easily spiraled.
For a quarterback who hadn’t seen meaningful NFL action, this was more than just a spot start. It was a statement. Oladokun showed that he belongs on this stage, and while the Chiefs’ offense will always be Mahomes’ domain, it’s clear that the system - and the coaching - are built to empower whoever’s under center.
The Chiefs didn’t just survive without Mahomes on Thursday night. Thanks to Chris Oladokun, they competed. And that alone is worth talking about.