For astir a decade, nan Kansas City Chiefs' backmost business has been a foregone conclusion, arsenic Patrick Mahomes has been nan driving unit successful nan organization's dynastic run.
However, nan 30-year-old quarterback's position for nan commencement of nan 2026 play is successful doubt, arsenic Mahomes suffered a season-ending torn ACL precocious successful nan season. Because of that, nan Chiefs could person a different Week 1 starter for nan first clip since 2018. The three-time Super Bowl MVP will return astatine immoderate point, moreover if that is not successful nan opening week.
Regardless, Kansas City needs to address nan backup backmost situation. Here are a fewer options for nan Chiefs could see keeping nan squad afloat if Mahomes is not ready.
Marcus Mariota
Washington Commanders backmost Marcus Mariota (8) looks for an unfastened teammate, Sunday, December 14, 2025, successful East Rutherford. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 32-year-old backmost has proven to beryllium a serviceable placeholder astatine backmost complete nan past fewer seasons. This past season, arsenic Jayden Daniels dealt pinch a slew of injuries, Mariota completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions successful 11 games.
Mariota is an impending free agent, and will person a marketplace for his services, but he would beryllium a coagulated summation to nan Chiefs' backmost room. The erstwhile 2016 second-overall prime tin nutrient successful an offensive-friendly strategy pinch bully protection and coagulated weaponry connected nan outside.
Joe Flacco
Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Cincinnati Bengals backmost Joe Flacco (16) warms up earlier a crippled against nan Buffalo Bills astatine Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Not judge really overmuch is near successful nan vessel for nan 40-year-old quarterback, but pinch Joe Burrow missing extended clip pinch turf toe, nan Cincinnati Bengals acquired nan seasoned backmost from nan Cleveland Browns successful a mid-season trade. In 9 games, Flacco completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.
Flacco's first 4 starts successful Cincinnati consisted of 1,254 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while starring nan Bengals' discourtesy to mean 32.7 points per crippled during that span.
Kansas City's weapons do not measurement up to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but pinch above-average walk protection, assuming nan violative statement stays healthy, this would not beryllium nan worst result for nan Chiefs.
Mitchell Trubisky
Jan 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills backmost Mitchell Trubisky (11) scrambles pinch nan shot against nan New York Jets during nan 3rd 4th astatine Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
This would beryllium an ironic development, arsenic Trubisky was taken supra Mahomes successful nan 2017 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears traded up 1 spot to nan second-overall prime to prime nan erstwhile North Carolina quarterback.
We each cognize really that ended, but if Andy Reid wants a mobile awesome caller, and Mariota is not available, this could beryllium a possibility. Obviously, Trubisky is not nan champion action successful nan world, but nan Chiefs whitethorn conscionable request a fewer starts until Mahomes is ready.
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