The Kansas City Chiefs are weak at the quarterback position—not at QB1, of course, where two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes is penciled in on the depth chart before OTAs this spring. But their QB2 and QB3 options are atrocious. An NFL insider recently named the Chiefs a top fit for a former No. 2 overall pick’s rehab.
The Kansas City Chiefs need a backup for Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs have Chris Oladokun and Ian Book as their backup quarterbacks behind Mahomes. The Chiefs had Blaine Gabbert as their QB2 last year, as the former Jackson Jaguars starter took over for long-time backup Chad Henne. Henne retired after the Super Bowl for the 2022 season. Gabbert is currently a free agent.
Zach Wilson was named a top fit for the Chiefs
The Chiefs appear ready to go in a new direction at QB2. Bucky Brooks with NFL.com recently wrote about the best trade fits for New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Brooks thinks Wilson would make an excellent addition as Mahomes’ backup for the upcoming season:
“The best quarterback whisperer in the game could use another project to work with in Kansas City behind Patrick Mahomes. Yes, the two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion is obviously FIRMLY entrenched as the Chiefs’ QB1.
That said, as we’ve seen over the course of Andy Reid’s illustrious career, the presence of a blue-chip quarterback doesn’t prevent the future Hall of Fame coach from taking on a reclamation project who could turn into a valuable trade commodity down the road.
In Philadelphia, Reid rebuilt Michael Vick into a Pro Bowler after his time away from the game while serving a prison sentence on a dogfighting conviction. Reid also developed A.J. Feeley and Kevin Kolb into future starters (and, in Kolb’s case, a tradable asset).
As Mahomes’ understudy in a championship environment, Wilson could sit back and learn how to play the position at a high level from a coach and quarterback who have cracked the code, while honing his skills on the practice field.”
The New York Jets haven’t helped themselves in trade negotiations
The Jets are desperately trying to trade Wilson this offseason. It didn’t help Jets general manager Joe Douglas cause that owner Woody Johnson slipped up and said Wilson didn’t play good enough to be considered a backup last season.
Wilson is owed over $5 million for his services next season. One wouldn’t see the cash-strapped Chiefs taking on his full price. The Jets would either need to add significant draft compensation and/or eat some of Wilson’s salary for the Chiefs to entertain a trade. Trade ideas and rumors have floated for a potential Wilson trade to Kansas City.
Wilson would have a better chance to succeed in Kansas City than New York if Mahomes suffered an injury during the 2024 season. The Chiefs have a better offensive line than what the Jets ever gave Wilson. The Chiefs added star wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to pair with tight end Travis Kelce. They’re expected to add an electric receiver in this year’s draft.
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