For the first time since they selected Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs won’t reach the playoffs. For the first time since Mahomes became a starter, they won’t be playing in the AFC Championship either.
Of course, the Chiefs being eliminated from playoff contention is tough enough, but injury was added to insult with Mahomes suffering a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss. The injury doesn’t just end Mahomes’ season; since it occurred in mid-December, it’s possible he won’t play at all next season either.
Thus, the Chiefs need to find a new starting quarterback for 2026, and we have more than a few ideas.
Gardner Minshew
No, Gardner Minshew is far from the first person anyone should have in mind to replace Patrick Mahomes. Yet, he does have the benefit of already knowing the offense, and he’ll get a chance to build chemistry with the Chiefs’ receivers over the next three weeks. That could give him a leg up on the competition heading into 2026, but that doesn’t mean the Chiefs won’t bring in better candidates to start.
Mitch Trubisky
What an odd choice. Yet, if Matt Nagy is still the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2026, the idea of bringing Trubisky to Kansas City isn’t that weird. After all, Trubisky’s lone Pro Bowl season came with Nagy as his head coach. The two have since grown and learned a lot from their experiences in Chicago, and there’s a better foundation now in Kansas City than they shared then in the Windy City. Trubisky starting some games for the Chiefs isn’t as crazy as it sounds, but again, they can probably do better.
Joe Flacco
Our guess is the Chiefs want someone with a bit more mobility. Yet, a one-year partnership between the former Super Bowl winner and the Chiefs could work wonders for all parties involved. Flacco would get a chance at returning to the playoffs if he performs well, and Kansas City could ensure that they’ll have a more than competent passing offense with Flacco in the shotgun.
Geno Smith
The current interceptions leader has had a terrible season in Vegas. There’s no guarantee he returns for another season, yet Smith is under contract in 2026. However, if the Raiders release the 35-year-old, it’s possible Kansas City feels like it can get the two-time Pro Bowler back on track. It’s worth a gamble for the right price.
Jimmy Garoppolo
He’s started just one game in the past two seasons, but there was a time when Garoppolo led his team to the Conference Championship twice in a three-year span. Kansas City could see value in Garoppolo’s ability to move the chains with accuracy without making turnover-worthy plays. But again, we feel like the Chiefs could do better than someone who hasn’t played much football as of late.
Kirk Cousins
Cousins is itching to get another starting opportunity. He’s getting one now on a short-term basis in Atlanta, and he could parlay that into a more permanent role next season while Michael Penix recovers from his reconstructive knee surgery. Yet, the Falcons may decide to move on and take the $35 million in cap savings by cutting him. If so, the Chiefs would be wise to take a chance on the four-time Pro Bowler for one season of play.
Mac Jones
The former first-round pick has started eight games for the 49ers this season, helping keep them in the playoff picture. Honestly, he’s played some of his best ball this season, but San Francisco was expecting him to only be their backup. Now that he’s shown he’s capable of being an above-average starting QB again, Jones will surely generate some trade interest this offseason, and Kansas City would be wise to offer a mid-round pick in exchange for the 27-year-old.
Russell Wilson
For the third time in as many seasons, Russell Wilson will be hunting for a new team. This time, it could take him to Kansas City, where he’d join one of the NFL’s best coaching staffs led by Andy Reid. Plus, he could get some revenge on the Broncos twice per season, which could be all the motivation he needs to hone in on his craft.
Kyler Murray
With the Cardinals turning the keys of their franchise over to Jacoby Brissett for the rest of the season, it likely means we’ve seen the last of Kyler Murray in Arizona. Whether cut or placed on the trade block, a player like Murray should be highly valued in Kansas City. After all, he’s extremely mobile and has a tendency to release the ball from various arm angles. Sounds a lot like the guy he’ll be replacing, but without the cannon arm.
Jameis Winston
Poised to return as the Giants’ backup quarterback to Jaxson Dart in 2026, a strong enough trade offer might be enough to pry Winston out of New York. Plus, the Giants know how badly Winston wants to play, and they could do him a favor by allowing him to get a great opportunity in Kansas City. Plus, the Chiefs’ pass-catchers wouldn’t notice much of a difference in arm strength between Mahomes and Winston.
Aaron Rodgers
What’s in store for the four-time NFL MVP in 2026? No one seems to know. It’s possible Rodgers doesn’t even know yet. But he might be down for one last ride, especially for a well-respected coach like Andy Reid. The Chiefs are always in playoff contention, and that’s exactly what Rodgers will seek from his next team.
Related: 7 Indianapolis Colts QB Solutions for 2026
