Chiefs Announce Quarterback Move Amid NFL Offseason

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs Announce Quarterback Move Amid NFL Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated May 4, 2026 12:07 PM ET

Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs had a 2025 NFL season to forget, finishing with a 6-11 record and missing out on the playoffs for the first time in a decade. To make matters worse for the Chiefs, starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down with a torn ACL in Week 15, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year.

Still, despite the lengthy recovery, Mahomes is tracking to be a limited participant in Kansas City’s OTAs, which begin on May 26. He’ll be doing so with a completely revamped quarterback room, bringing in former New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields , along with selecting ex-LSU Tigers star Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But with the new additions at quarterback, there has been a departure as well.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and head coach Andy Reid.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Jake Haener, after spending his college career with Washington and Fresno State, was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 127 pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The quarterback spent his first three NFL seasons with the Saints, appearing in just eight games, all of which came during the 2024 season, completing 18-of-39 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

In 2025, Haener spent the majority of the season on New Orleans’ practice squad before being picked up by the Chiefs in February, signing a reserve/future contract with Reid’s squad. However, his time in Kansas City was short-lived, as the Chiefs announced on Monday that they had waived Haener after just three months with the team.

The decision to waive Haener coincides with several roster moves the Chiefs made on Monday as they look to set their 90-man roster for OTAs. Kansas City signed wide receiver Xavier Loyd, defensive back Marlen Sewell and tackle Kahlil Benson, while also waiving defensive end Ethan Hurkett and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.

"We have signed Free Agents WR Xavier Loyd, DB Marlen Sewell, T Kahlil Benson," the Chiefs wrote on X. "We have waived QB Jake Haener, DE Ethan Hurkett, and DT Zacch Pickens."

We have signed Free Agents WR Xavier Loyd, DB Marlen Sewell, T Kahlil Benson.

We have waived QB Jake Haener, DE Ethan Hurkett, and DT Zacch Pickens. pic.twitter.com/38vAhkR6gQ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 4, 2026