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Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.
One of the underrated needs for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 is a No. 2 quarterback.
Ever since Chad Henne retired following the 2022 season, Kansas City has brought in one-year stopgap quarterbacks (Blaine Gabbert, Carson Wentz, Gardner Minshew) to back up starter Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs currently have two other quarterbacks under contract for the 2026 season in Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener. However, neither are very experienced or would inspire a lot of confidence if they had to start a game.
Although he is working diligently to be ready for the beginning of the regular season, it is a very real possibility that Mahomes has to miss some time coming off the ACL injury he sustained in December. If that is the case, the Chiefs are going to wish they had a reliable veteran to keep them afloat until Mahomes returns.
Kansas City Chiefs Named Potential Landing Spot for QB Derek Carr
John Breech of CBS Sports recently named five teams that would make sense for Carr to come out of retirement and play for. Kansas City landed in a tie with the Indianapolis Colts at No. 3. Here is what Breech wrote about the scenario with the Chiefs:
“As for the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes is also coming back from a major injury. The two-time MVP tore his ACL in mid-December, and right now, it’s not clear if he’ll be able to play in Week 1. Mahomes definitely seems to be in a rush to get back, but if the Chiefs added Carr, then Mahomes could take his time in rehab. In this case, Mahomes could circle Week 3 or Week 4 on the schedule and plan to come back then. Carr would obviously take the job knowing that he would only be the starter for the first few weeks of the season, but he would also take it knowing that he’s playing for a Super Bowl contender, which is what he wants to be doing at this point in his career.”
Signing Carr Would Be Smart Move by Chiefs
Getty(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Carr surprisingly retired last offseason due to a complicated right shoulder injury. However, he recently revealed that he would be willing to play again, if the situation was right.
“Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not,” Carr said on the “Home Grown” podcast. “I’d have to be healthy, and I’d want a chance to win a Super Bowl. And obviously, that’s a tough thing to find. That’s hard to do. That’s not easy.”
Carr joining the Chiefs seems like it would be a win-win for both sides. Kansas City would get the insurance it needs in case Mahomes has to miss time, and Carr would get the chance to cap his career off with a Super Bowl win.
Andy Reid getting to coach Carr would bring the two full circle, as Reid revealed long ago that the Chiefs had interest in drafting Carr back in 2014. Carr is just 34 years old, and the year off he had should have him feeling well. If Kansas City manages its salary cap well, there should be plenty of money to invest in a player like Carr as the No. 2 quarterback.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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