The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a strong NFL season but fell short of their ultimate goal—winning Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. With key areas to address this offseason, head coach Andy Reid appears to have found a new backup for Patrick Mahomes: former Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, free-agent QB Gardner Minshew has agreed to a one-year deal with the Chiefs. Minshew, who previously played alongside Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, is expected to provide a reliable option behind Mahomes, offering depth and stability at the quarterback position when needed.
As the Chiefs look ahead to the 2025 NFL season, one of their top priorities remains keeping star quarterback Patrick Mahomes healthy — and having a reliable insurance policy in place. It’s worth remembering that Mahomes dealt with an ankle issue last season but managed to play through it without missing time. Still, his performance was visibly affected late in the year, including during the Super Bowl. That’s why securing a capable backup is critical for Kansas City as they aim to defend their title.
On that front, Gardner Minshew is now stepping in as the Chiefs’ new No. 2 quarterback, replacing Carson Wentz, who is currently a free agent. The Las Vegas Raiders released Minshew on Wednesday, just one year after signing him to a two-year, $25 million contract during the 2024 offseason.
Gardner Minshew, quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders
Gardner Minshew’s NFL journey
Minshew, has compiled 68 touchdown passes and 34 interceptions in 59 career games (46 starts) across six NFL seasons. His resume includes stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars (who drafted him in the sixth round in 2019), Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and most recently, the Raiders.
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Minshew’s best NFL season came in 2023 with the Colts, where he threw for a career-high 3,305 yards, along with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 17 games (13 starts). He helped lead Indianapolis to a 7-6 record in games where he started, keeping the team in playoff contention for most of the year.
Struggles and setback in Las Vegas
After signing with Las Vegas, Minshew engaged in a tough quarterback battle with Aidan O’Connell during training camp. He eventually earned the starting job but struggled to find consistency. In 10 games (nine starts) for the Raiders, Minshew threw for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, before suffering a season-ending clavicle fracture in a Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Raiders went 2-7 in games Minshew started, ultimately finishing with another disappointing campaign.
What Minshew brings to the Chiefs
For Kansas City, Minshew provides veteran experience and a proven track record as a spot starter — a crucial asset given Mahomes‘ recent injury history. While no one can fully replace what Mahomes brings to the field, Minshew’s ability to manage games and keep the offense functional could be vital if Mahomes misses any time next season.
With the move, the Chiefs shore up one of the league’s most important backup quarterback positions, positioning themselves for another deep playoff run — with or without their MVP quarterback.
