Chris Oladokun may not have been part of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ long-term conversation entering the 2025 season, but his late-season performances have forced the franchise to rethink its quarterback depth chart heading into 2026.
In a year defined by injuries and uncertainty behind Patrick Mahomes, Oladokun used a small but meaningful opportunity to put himself squarely into the mix for the team’s future plans at the position.
The Chiefs‘ quarterback situation entering the 2026 offseason is as unclear as it has been at any point during Andy Reid‘s tenure. While there has never been any doubt about who the starter is when Mahomes is healthy, the reality is that Kansas City could be facing a stretch in which Mahomes is not ready to play to open next season. Complicating matters further, both Gardner Minshew and Oladokun are pending free agents, leaving the Chiefs without a clear backup option under contract.
Two main contenders at Kansas City
Minshew figures to be part of the conversation. The 29-year-old has long lived in the space between starter and backup, good enough to win games in short stretches but not viewed as a long-term solution. Kansas City was fortunate to land him in free agency last spring, but his time with the Chiefs was cut short by a season-ending injury suffered in the first quarter of his first start with the team at Tennessee.
That injury, coupled with his contract status, leaves his future in Kansas City uncertain. Oladokun was thrust into action as Minshew‘s replacement and initially faced a difficult situation. The game plan had been built around Minshew, yet Oladokun still completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards in his first extended NFL action against the Titans. While that appearance was encouraging, it was his first career start that truly changed how he is being evaluated.
In Week 17 against the Denver Broncos, Oladokun was asked to start on Christmas night against the league’s top defense, behind two third-string offensive tackles who had never played together. The expectations were low, with most assuming Kansas City would be overwhelmed in primetime. Instead, the 28-year-old quarterback kept the Chiefs competitive from start to finish, completing 13 of 22 passes for 66 yards and repeatedly making plays to avoid disaster.
Oladokun has the edge
That stability is what now places Oladokun firmly in the 2026 quarterback discussion. The Chiefs have historically preferred experienced veterans behind Mahomes, and until this season, Mahomes had always been younger than his primary backup.
Kansas City could stay true to that approach by targeting another seasoned option in free agency, particularly one capable of starting early if Mahomes needs more recovery time. They could also break from tradition and invest a draft pick in a quarterback for the first time in years.
Oladokun, however, has earned consideration as more than just an emergency option. He showed an understanding of the system, an ability to function under pressure, and a calm presence that kept the team competitive against elite opposition. While he may not be viewed as a long-term starter, his performance suggests he could be a viable and cost-effective choice as Mahomes‘ primary backup.
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