Do the Chiefs have a quarterback controversy brewing?
Do the Kansas City Chiefs have a bit of a quarterback controversy on their hands? Well, not at the starting spot, of course. Though, Patrick Mahomes did joke about it after the game."I was proud of those guys," he said. "I probably played the worst of everybody that played today. So that's a good problem to […]
Do the Kansas City Chiefs have a bit of a quarterback controversy on their hands?
Well, not at the starting spot, of course.
Though, Patrick Mahomes did joke about it after the game.
"I was proud of those guys," he said. "I probably played the worst of everybody that played today. So that's a good problem to have."
Jokes aside, the Chiefs did throw a bit of a change-up at their quarterback strategy on Saturday evening. After being the No. 2 quarterback throughout training camp, Blaine Gabbert was relegated from his position and Shane Buechele was promoted. Buechele was the first quarterback off the bench following Mahomes, even earning repetitions with the first-team offense against the Cardinals.
This came after Buechele had a standout performance in preseason Week 1.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Chiefs HC Andy Reid explained that Buechele was slated for extended playtime in this game and that Gabbert wasn't going to play at all.
"This was a game that Blaine (Gabbert) wasn't scheduled to play," Reid said. "But listen, both of them played great. That's a good thing that both of them really played good football."
This comment begs the question: "Why was Buechele pulled for Gabbert?"
Well, his performance might have something to do with it. Buechele would finish the game with a perfect 10-of-10 passing for 105 yards and with a 15-yard touchdown run.
"He's a playmaker, man," Mahomes said of Buechele. "I think you saw it last week, you saw it this week. He's made a lot of plays happen. He's been in the system. He's really comfortable with it."
Even though Gabbert wasn't originally scheduled to play, he certainly was ready to go when his number was called. He even finished the game with a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
"I thought Blaine (Gabbert) played really good as well," Mahomes said. "Two touchdown drives. And then, Chris (Oladokun) played really good at the end of the game. So, we take pride in that quarterback room, being able to step in and make plays happen."
At the end of the night, all four quarterbacks on the roster led scoring drives. It's a reminder that having solid depth is a good problem to have until you get to 53-man roster cuts.
Obviously, the Chiefs have some decisions to make regarding their backup quarterback position. It's likely that both Gabbert and Buechele make the 53-man roster, but who will be first off the bench should Mahomes get injured? The two players are certainly making that a tough decision for Andy Reid.
Patrick Mahomes just had the coolest incomplete pass we may ever see
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had a highlight-reel incomplete pass during the first quarter of Saturday’s tilt with the Arizona Cardinals.
Featured image via Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
