Despite winning 15 of 17 games in the 2024 regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs did not conquer the NFL for a third year in a row. Though the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the Philadelphia Eagles ruined Kansas City‘s dreams of a three-peat — and prompted soul-searching within “Chiefs Kingdom“.
Travis Kelce contemplated retiring after the 40-22 defeat, but the legendary tight end is poised to play at least one more season in search of his fourth Super Bowl ring. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently restructured his contract to allow the Chiefs to be more competitive in free agency, but the franchise’s biggest move of the offseason might well have gone under the radar — and directly affects Mahomes.
Minshew’s arrival builds excitement
Mahomes will have a new backup quarterback in 2025 after the Chiefs signed veteran Gardner Minshew to replace Carson Wentz in the QB room. Minshew, a Pro Bowler with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, is often regarded as the league’s most valuable backup quarterback for his poise and improvisational ability — and he’s ready to aid Mahomes.
“Being a starting quarterback in the NFL is a hard deal. Especially with all the expectations with everything that gets put on, especially, a guy like that,” Minshew told Kansas City media about two-time MVP Mahomes. “Sometimes it’s having a safe place in the quarterback room where you can come and let off some steam or just have a good laugh. That little stuff is very important getting through weeks (and) getting through years.”
Minshew understands that playing time could be scarce, but being part of a winning culture in Kansas City was too good of a deal for him to pass up. Signed to a one-year contract, Minshew is ready to work with such a talented signal-caller, whose partnership with longtime head coach Andy Reid was a signficant draw.
“I look forward to just working with him, helping in any way I can, whether it’s on the practice field, in the meeting room. (When) getting ready for game days, if there’s film preparation I can help with or even, like I said, providing a good laugh here or there,” Minshew said. “I just couldn’t be more grateful for the role, and just want to help in any way I really can.”
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