It is the question that defines an entire city, a multibillion-dollar franchise, and the blood pressure of a few million people every Sunday. Who is the Chiefs QB? Honestly, the answer seems obvious until you actually look at the turf. If you’re looking for the name on the back of the jersey that owns the city, it is, and likely will be for another decade, Patrick Mahomes.
But there is a catch. Right now, the situation in Kansas City is kind of a mess.
If you tuned into the end of the 2025 season, you saw something rare: Mahomes on the sideline. On December 14, 2024, during the final minutes of a brutal loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the unthinkable happened. Mahomes went down. It wasn't just a tweak or a "rub some dirt on it" moment. He tore both his ACL and LCL in his left knee. Just like that, the most dominant force in modern football was grounded.
The Current Depth Chart Reality
Because of that injury, the answer to who is the Chiefs QB depends entirely on whether you mean the "franchise" or the person literally taking the snap tomorrow. As of early 2026, the room is in flux.
Mahomes is currently in the middle of a grueling rehab. He’s been working with Chiefs physical therapist Julie Frymyer and the famous orthopedist Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas. The goal is Week 1 of the 2026 season. He says he’s hitting every checkpoint, but knee surgeries are fickle. You can’t just wish a ligament back to full strength.
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While he’s out, things have been shaky. Gardner Minshew stepped in late last year, but he also ended up on the Injured Reserve list with his own knee issues. Then you have Chris Oladokun, who has been hanging around the practice squad and depth charts, occasionally being the last man standing.
- Patrick Mahomes: The starter, the legend, currently on the mend.
- Gardner Minshew: The veteran backup (though his contract status is a giant question mark for 2026).
- Chris Oladokun: The developmental piece who suddenly found himself very relevant.
Why Patrick Mahomes Is Still the Only Answer That Matters
You can't talk about the Chiefs quarterback without acknowledging that Mahomes is the sun this entire solar system revolves around. At 30 years old, he’s already a three-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time NFL MVP. People often forget how much he’s actually done in a short window. He’s the fastest player ever to reach 20,000 career passing yards (it took him only 67 games).
His 2025 season before the injury was... human. That’s the best way to put it. He threw for 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. For most guys, that’s a career year. For Mahomes? It was considered a "down" year. The Chiefs actually missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. That nine-year streak of AFC West titles finally snapped.
It turns out, even a magician needs a supporting cast that catches the ball.
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The $450 Million Elephant in the Room
Let’s talk money. Mahomes isn’t just the QB; he’s a massive financial commitment. He signed that 10-year, $450 million extension that basically keeps him in Missouri until 2032.
In 2026, his cap hit is expected to be a staggering $78,213,888. That is a lot of zeros. When people ask who is the Chiefs QB, they’re asking about a man who is essentially a partner in the business. The Chiefs can’t just "move on." They are tied to his health and his right arm for the foreseeable future. This financial reality is why the backup position is so contentious. They need someone cheap but competent because Mahomes takes up so much of the "salary cap pie."
The Backup Chaos: Minshew, Wentz, or Fields?
Since Mahomes is coming off a major surgery, the backup spot is suddenly the most important job in Kansas City. Gardner Minshew was the guy, but his deal is essentially up. There are rumors flying everywhere.
- Carson Wentz: Some experts think a reunion makes sense. He knows the system and showed some life as a backup in Minnesota.
- Justin Fields: There is a lot of chatter about Fields potentially being a bridge starter if Mahomes isn't ready for the 2026 opener. His mobility would be a wild change of pace from the Mahomes style.
- The Draft: Don't rule out the Chiefs taking a mid-round flyer on a rookie just to have a healthy body.
What to Expect Next
If you’re a betting person, you’re betting on Mahomes being under center in September. He’s a notorious competitor. He even tried to convince the trainers to put a brace on his knee so he could finish the game where he tore his ACL. That’s insane.
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But keep an eye on the free agency news this March. Whoever the Chiefs sign will be the person you see in all the preseason highlights. If they go big on a veteran, it means they’re worried about Pat’s knee. If they stick with a low-level backup, they’re confident the King is back.
The Chiefs are at a crossroads. For the first time in years, there is actual uncertainty at the most important position in sports.
Actionable Next Steps for Chiefs Fans:
- Monitor the March Free Agency Window: Watch for any QB signings over $5 million. That’s a signal that the front office is hedging their bets on Mahomes' recovery timeline.
- Watch the Training Camp PUP List: If Mahomes starts training camp on the "Physically Unable to Perform" list, his Week 1 availability moves from "likely" to "toss-up."
- Follow Julie Frymyer’s Updates: She is the key to his recovery. Any news regarding his "linear running" or "cutting" milestones is a better indicator of health than any press conference quote.
The identity of the Kansas City Chiefs remains tied to number 15, but for the first time, the "who" involves a lot more than just one name.