Chiefs Announce Decision on Quarterback After Patrick Mahomes Update

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs Announce Decision on Quarterback After Patrick Mahomes Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Aug 31, 2026 7:45 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs had one final quarterback decision to make before setting their initial 53-man roster. Patrick Mahomes remains the unquestioned starter despite his injury setback, while Justin Fields entered the season as his backup after he was traded by the New York Jets. What was unclear was whether there would be room for another quarterback.

Assistant general manager Mike Bradway had already suggested that keeping three quarterbacks was a possibility, but the decision ultimately came down to Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun. Nussmeier, a seventh-round pick out of LSU, received a major opportunity in the preseason finale after Oladokun entered concussion protocol. He responded by completing 22 of 34 passes for 198 yards against the Seattle Seahawks, finishing the preseason with 370 passing yards.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with quarterback Justin Fields and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier at Arrowhead Stadium.Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

On Sunday, the Chiefs announced their decision to retain Nussmeier on their initial 53-man roster. Kansas City kept the rookie and waived Oladokun, meaning the Chiefs will carry three quarterbacks with Mahomes, Fields and Nussmeier.

It is a significant vote of confidence in a player the franchise could have tried to move to the practice squad.

The Chiefs initial 53-man roster:

Quarterback (3)

Justin Fields
Patrick Mahomes
Garrett Nussmeier

Running Back (3)

Emmett Johnson
Brashard Smith
Ken Walker

Wide Receiver (6)

Cyrus Allen
Nikko Remigio
Rashee Rice
Jalen Royals
Tyquan Thornton
Xavier Worthy

Tight End (4)…
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) August 31, 2026

The move caps a preseason in which Nussmeier steadily made his case for a roster spot. The Chiefs now get to continue developing him inside Reid’s offense while avoiding the possibility of another team claiming him off waivers.

Oladokun, meanwhile, exits after spending the past two seasons in Kansas City. He appeared in the Chiefs’ preseason games this summer and was scheduled to share snaps with Nussmeier in the finale before the concussion prevented him from playing.

The quarterback decision also comes with Mahomes’ health in focus. The veteran did not play in any preseason game while recovering from the ACL and LCL injuries he suffered last December. Mahomes has progressed through training camp and remains expected to start Week 1.

Kansas City’s initial 53-man roster can still change before the regular season, but the quarterback room currently has its shape. Mahomes will lead it, Fields will back him up and Nussmeier will get the chance to develop as the Chiefs’ third quarterback.

The Chiefs open the regular season against the Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 14 on “Monday Night Football.”