An underrated need that the Kansas City Chiefs have to address this offseason is backup quarterback.
Starter Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025. Since it was so late in the season, his availability for Week 1 of the 2026 season is in question. Even if he is completely healed by then, Mahomes will need time to ramp up and get his conditioning and timing down.
It is a very real possibility that someone other than Mahomes is under center for the Chiefs during the first few weeks of the season. If that’s the case, they will need someone who can play well enough to keep them afloat. Kansas City has shuffled through backup quarterbacks over the past few years, such as Blaine Gabbert, Carson Wentz, and Gardner Minshew.
Kay Adams Names Kansas City Chiefs a Perfect Fit for Kirk Cousins
During her morning show “Up & Adams,” Kay explained why she would like to see Cousins join the Chiefs in 2026.
“What if Kirk Cousins goes to the Chiefs?” Adams proposed. “He’s expected to be released. He wants to be a starter, we know that. I’d assume Kansas City is going to want to bring in a big dog. An experienced quarterback. A vet. Patrick’s recovering from his ACL injury, I don’t know how that’s going, hopefully really well. But, Kirk’s going to be getting guaranteed money from Atlanta. So the Chiefs, (general manager) Brett Veach can make that happen. It’s a nice value for them. Mahomes, God willing, is there Week 1. Hard to think of a better insurance policy if he does need a little more time. Is he (Cousins) the starter Week 1? We don’t know, but he is a perfect backup in a situation where the backup’s a premium and they want to get back into contention, and your quarterback is coming off a big, scary injury. I like Kirk Cousins to the Chiefs, with a value, with Atlanta eating up all of that money.”
2026 Free Agent QB Crop Is Full of Quality Backups
GettyKirk Cousins
Free agent quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (if he returns), Malik Willis, and Kyler Murray will all likely get starting jobs. With them out of the equation, there are still plenty of quality backups available, such as:
- Russell Wilson
- Joe Flacco
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Marcus Mariota
- Zach Wilson
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Tyrod Taylor
- Kenny Pickett
- Teddy Bridgewater
Any of those names should be able to play well enough to keep the Chiefs in decent standing until Mahomes is ready to play. Minshew and Wentz, who have experience in coach Andy Reid’s system, are also available.
Cousins is still technically on the Falcons‘ roster, but is expected to be released when the new league year begins. He is a 14-year veteran who has a career record of 88-77-2 as a starter, and has been named to four Pro Bowls. Cousins could be interested in joining the Chiefs not only because he could play a bit, but he could have a shot at capping his career off with a Super Bowl win.
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