Andrew Buller-Russ
Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ playoff hopes dissipated just as Patrick Mahomes‘ season ended with a torn ACL after 14 games. Since the injury happened so late in the season (Dec. 14), there’s a chance Mahomes won’t be ready to start in Week 1.
While the Chiefs missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2014, another 6-11 season won’t be acceptable for a team that’s won three Super Bowls since 2019. On Monday, the Chiefs traded for former first-round quarterback Justin Fields. Many assumed he would be taking over as Mahomes’ backup and/or assume the Chiefs’ QB1 duties until Mahomes is ready.
But, what if he’s simply been brought in to provide coach Andy Reid with a unique rushing element to his offense, even if it means specific packages or possibly the usage of a tush push? Surely Mahomes wouldn’t suddenly be used in that role, especially after a torn ACL.
In other words, what if the Chiefs are still eyeing another, more traditional QB to join the depth chart?
Recently, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported chatter of the Chiefs considering signing Russell Wilson in free agency.
“On Monday morning, before the Chiefs traded for former Jets quarterback Justin Fields, someone was throwing spaghetti on the question of whether Kansas City was eyeing Russell Wilson as Patrick Mahomes insurance,” Florio wrote.
While that idea could be dead after adding Fields, what if signing the 10-time Pro Bowl QB is still on the table? After all, as Florio later opines, there aren’t many clear starting opportunities remaining.
Eventually, Wilson will have to swallow his pride and accept a role as a backup QB. Unless, of course, he’d rather not play at all and remain unsigned, in the hopes of a team’s starter suffering an injury that knocks him out for a good chunk of the season.
After all, there aren’t many quarterbacks available who are as capable as the former Super Bowl winner is. Plus, after starting just three games last season, the 37-year-old likely wouldn’t be able to demand much as a free agent, especially if his phone isn’t ringing off the hook.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window
