The Kansas City Chiefs’ plans for the backup quarterback position might look a little bit different in 2026.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach has always targeted a specific type of backup quarterback ever since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starter, based mainly on Andy Reid’s preferences. When Reid has a young starter, he has virtually always gone with the veteran backup quarterback. When he has a seasoned starter, he’s gone with a younger player who can learn from him.

With Mahomes’ knee injury, and a return-to-play timeline ranging from nine to eleven months, you’d expect that Kansas City would be all-in on a veteran backup quarterback again. But I’m not sure that will be the case. The reason? Well, there are actually $48 million reasons why.

Can the Chiefs afford to spend on a veteran backup quarterback in 2026?

As things currently stand, the Chiefs are projected to be $48 million over the salary cap at the start of the new league year. They’re not short on salary-cap-clearing moves and should have no problem getting themselves out of the red. However, once they do clear that cap space, will they really want to spend the money on a veteran backup quarterback with all the other needs they’ll have? They lucked out with Gardner Minshew in 2025, who was playing on a minimum salary after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders. Still, most veteran backups can carry anywhere from $2.5 million to $10 million cap hits on an annual basis.

The financial ramifications of having a veteran backup quarterback are clear. Henne took up no less than 0.7% of the team’s total salary cap space in a given season as the team’s backup quarterback. In 2022, he took up 2.2% of the team’s total salary cap space.

It might finally be time for the Chiefs to lean on Mahomes as the salty veteran that he is and bring in a young quarterback to develop behind him as he comes off the most significant injury of his career. It might not preclude the team from exploring young and cheap free-agent options, as they’ve already started doing so as the 2025 NFL season wraps up.

Exploring 2026 NFL Draft backup quarterback options for the Chiefs

The Chiefs haven’t selected a quarterback in the NFL Draft since moving up to select Mahomes at pick No. 10 in 2017. It’s hardly the strategy that the Philadelphia Eagles have employed under Howie Roseman, selecting quarterbacks in 2023 and 2025 after selecting starter Jalen Hurts back in 2020. The Chiefs have invested developmental time in undrafted guys like Chase Litton, Kyle Shurmur, Jordan Ta’amu, Shane Buechele, and Chris Oladokun. Still, none have been able to clutch the No. 2 job away from players like Henne, Moore, Gabbert, Wentz, and Minshew.

If the Chiefs were to change their strategy in 2026 and explore adding a backup quarterback through the draft, it could turn out to be a good year to find a hidden gem late Day 2 or Day 3.

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

Klubnik was once considered to be the top player in the 2026 NFL Draft class after throwing for 3,600 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2024. He and Clemson’s disaster season this year have killed those dreams, though. He still needs a lot of coaching to polish out his game, but his arm talent and mobility are evident. He will probably hear his name called sometime between day two and the early rounds of day three, and I think the Chiefs could be a perfect fit for his development.

A coach like Andy Reid can use the good elements of Klubnik’s game, and after playing in an air raid offense at Clemson, he should feel comfortable with the Chiefs. Before Mahomes’ injury, I would have said the third round was too rich a pick to use on a QB, but now I think taking a shot on Klubnik’s talent could be worthwhile. He could play earlier than some may realize if Mahomes needs more time to recover, and if he plays well, he could become a valuable trade asset for the Chiefs.

Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss

Over the years, Andy Reid has emphasized he has three traits he covets for his quarterbacks: decision-making, timing, and accuracy. Chambliss has all three in spades. Taking over for the Ole Miss Rebels as a surprise, Chambliss was arguably the biggest breakout quarterback of the season, and it’s easy to see why Lane Kiffin trusted him to handle the offense. He plays with great pace, he’s smart with the football, and he’s accurate at all three levels. Chambliss isn’t the toolsiest guy out there, but he can make plays out of structure fairly well, and he isn’t afraid to let it rip over the middle of the field. Chambliss feels like a long-time, solid, high-floor backup at the next level.

Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson

There are specific quarterback draft prospects on a nearly yearly basis that seem to fit the sort of long-term backup mantra. Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson is a player who feels like one that Andy Reid would love to have in the building in Kansas City. Robertson was a highly regarded 4-star QB coming out of high school in Texas, boasting insane numbers and experience in a pass-heavy system. In his final HS season, he threw for 4,509 yards and 58 touchdowns.

Long-time offensive guru and Air Raid specialist Mike Leach showed a lot of interest in him as he entered college football. Robertson ended up at Baylor after a year at Mississippi State. With the Bears, he was a three-year starter and showed improvements year after year. With a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, he possesses the sort of NFL size for a QB. Robertson has proven to have impressive intermediate accuracy at Baylor and shows notable touch on sideline throws. Moves well at his size and knows how to maneuver the pocket. Robertson’s arm strength doesn’t possess quite the ceiling as other options in this year’s class, but his scheme fit, accuracy, and mental game are all aspects that would make sense for the Chiefs as a backup to Patrick Mahomes.

Georgia Tech QB Haynes King

If the Chiefs aren’t willing to use a premium pick on a QB, one option they should consider is Haynes King. He has been immensely valuable for Georgia Tech, where he’s had to put the offense on his shoulders, or better yet, his legs. His ability as a runner will make him an attractive option at QB on day three, and many scouts believe he will impress in meeting rooms due to his high football IQ. King could develop into a long-term backup for Mahomes, and with the right coaching staff, he can grow into the type of backup that can win you a game when his number is called. His ceiling as a passer, though, is limited enough that I don’t think he is someone the Chiefs would have to worry about losing him later to a full-time starting job. So, why not use a fifth or sixth-round pick on a player who ended up receiving votes for the Heisman?

NDSU QB Cole Payton

Cole Payton is looking to make a name for himself in Mobile, Alabama. The Senior Bowl has always allowed smaller-school prospects to show they belong among genuine blue-blood NFL prospects, and this year is no different for Payton. Here’s the thing, though. Payton might be an FCS product, but he won’t look out of place physically in Mobile, at the NFL Combine, or among any pre-draft event this spring. He’s a sturdy passer at 6-foot-3 and over 230 pounds. He’s a lefty with a power arm and some of the best running ability in college football. His main flaws come from his delivery. He has an elongated release that can lead to scattershot accuracy. With the proper coaching and development, he can become a dynamic big-play threat at the quarterback position.

Miami (FL) QB Carson Beck

Carson Beck’s draft buzz isn’t quite what it once was, but he’s still a solid NFL Draft prospect. He’s lost a lot of his arm strength due to injuries, but he’s an efficient, accurate passer with a quick release who has generally done a good job of taking care of the football and effectively playing point guard for the Hurricanes. Beck is willing to attack the middle of the field effectively and makes quick progressions. He doesn’t have the highest ceiling of the draft class, but he’s the most ‘NFL-ready’ Day 3 right now, and I think he can come in and shoulder the load for small stretches of the season with his mental acuity and accuracy.

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