Report: Gardner Minshew signing one-year deal with Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs will have a new backup quarterback as they are adding Gardner Minshew to the roster. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Minshew is signing a one-year contract with the Chiefs, and he will be the No. 2 QB behind Patrick Mahomes.

Minshew will replace Carson Wentz as Mahomes’ backup quarterback since Wentz is a free agent. The move comes after Minshew was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday, one year after signing him to a two-year, $25 million contract during the 2024 offseason.

In 10 games with nine starts last year, Gardner Minshew threw for 2,013 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He missed the remainder of the year due to a broken collarbone. As a starter, Minshew led the Raiders to a 2-7 record.

Minshew entered the NFL in 2019 when the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in the sixth round. He spent two seasons in Jacksonville and threw for 5,530 yards with 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 23 games with 20 starts.

Gardner Minshew reached the Pro Bowl in 2023

Before the 2021 season, Minshew was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles to back up Jalen Hurts. He spent two seasons in Philadelphia and played in nine games with four starts.

In 2023, Minshew signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts and had his best season. In 17 games with 13 starts, the former Washington State QB threw for 3,305 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine touchdowns with a 7-6 record. Minshew’s production on the field led to him being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

The Chiefs are hoping Minshew plays very little in 2025, as Patrick Mahomes is the top player in the NFL. While the Chiefs fell short of winning their third consecutive Super Bowl, Mahomes had a strong 2024 season. In 16 regular-season games, the two-time NFL MVP threw for 3,928 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and a 93.5 passer rating.

After losing the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, Mahomes spoke to reporters about the pain he was feeling. He said, “Anytime you lose the Super Bowl, it’s the worst feeling in the world. It’ll stick with you for the rest of your career… They hurt probably more than the wins feel good.”