Who is the Chiefs' backup quarterback? Kansas City's QB depth chart behind Patrick Mahomes

Joe Rivera

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Who is the Chiefs' backup quarterback? Kansas City's QB depth chart behind Patrick Mahomes image

As they say: Henne-thing is possible.

If worse comes to worst and Patrick Mahomes misses time for some reason, the Chiefs will turn to a one-time KC hero to take snaps once again.

For now, Mahomes is backed up by longtime veteran QB2 (and occasional starter) Chad Henne, who would be the fireman in case of emergency come the AFC championship game or beyond this weekend.

It's not the best situation, but it's one that's worked in the past. Here's what you need to know about the Chiefs' QB situation:

Who is the Chiefs' backup quarterback?

If Patrick Mahomes ends up injured or unable to play, Chad Henne would step in as the team's QB2.

Fans would be familiar with that situation: In 2021, Henne entered in the Chiefs' divisional playoff game vs. the Browns in relief of a concussed Patrick Mahomes, helping guide Kansas City to a win over Cleveland.

 Henne threw for 66 yards, an interception and the game-sealing run vs. Cleveland.

Chiefs quarterback depth chart

QB1: Patrick Mahomes

I mean, you know who this guy is. 

His Herculean feats in the AFC divisional round vs. the Bills pushed the Chiefs to their fourth straight AFC championship game — all four have been while Mahomes has been the team's starter.

In his playoff career, Mahomes has thrown for 3,106 yards, 25 touchdowns and five interceptions across 10 games as Chiefs starter.

QB2: Chad Henne

Henne is a veteran backup starter in the league, originally drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie season backing up fellow Chad, Pennington, before getting the starter's job in the following years.

Several unsuccessful seasons as Dolphins starter later, Henne latched on with the Jaguars as backup and spot starter, eventually settling in to settling back in to a backup role before landing with Kansas City as their backup in 2018.

QB3: Shane Buechele

Buechele is a rookie and has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. He played for the Texans Longhorns and SMU Mustangs in his college career, before being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chiefs this past offseason.

In his college career, Buechele threw 87 touchdowns and 32 interceptions over 46 career games.

Joe Rivera

Joe Rivera Photo

Joe Rivera is in his seventh year with The Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. A proud-ish Rutgers University graduate, Rivera combines a new-school flair with an old-school soul. He loves dingers, wrestling, comic books, movies, music and really bad puns. He is also a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater.

You can find him and tweet him @JoeRiveraSN, if you're into that sort of thing.