The Kansas City Chiefs face a big decision as they head to an unusually long offseason, with the team likely needing another quarterback to start the season while Patrick Mahomes recovers from his season-ending injury.
While the Chiefs have shied away from a definitive timeline for Mahomes, the complexity of his injury with a torn ACL and LCL could keep him out through the start of the 2026 season. That would force the Chiefs to find a new signal-caller as backup Gardner Minshew’s contract is up at the end of this year, but they could have the potential to target a former $190 million quarterback who could be headed to the open market.
Chiefs Could Have Veteran Option
The Chiefs would likely not need a long-term solution for Mahomes, who is expected back sometime early in the season. If the team does decide to tap a trusted veteran to hold down the ship while Mahomes is finishing up his rehab, they could look to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
As Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells noted, the Falcons have the opportunity to shave a big chunk of their salary cap by parting ways with Cousins. Wells noted that the Falcons face their own injury dilemma with Michael Penix undergoing season-ending surgery.
“Cousins’ situation is more complicated because he hasn’t looked good in his two seasons with the Falcons and they could save up to $35 million against the cap by releasing him in the offseason,” Wells wrote.
Cousins had signed a four-year extension worth $180 million with the Falcons in 2024, but he has not performed well during his time at starter. The team’s decision to use a first-round pick on Penix also complicated his future.
If the Falcons do part ways with Cousins, the Chiefs could take a look as a part-time starter to keep the team in contention while Mahomes continues to recover. Cousins reportedly expressed a desire to find a new team where he can return to starting, and the Chiefs could offer that option for 2026, even if on a temporary basis.
The Chiefs will also get the final three games of the season to explore whether Minshew can return on a new contract.
Chiefs Have Hope for Patrick Mahomes in 2026
The Chiefs could still see Mahomes return before the start of the next season. The team’s head athletic trainer, Rick Burkholder, noted that the expected timeline would have the two-time MVP returning somewhere in September.
âBallpark on this thing (for recovery) is nine months. Could be a month or two less, a month or two more,â Burkholder said, via The Athletic. âYou never know what goes on, and everybodyâs designed differently biomechanically. And so you just have to go through it.â
Burkholder noted that every player recovers at a different pace, but said he knew Mahomes would hit the rehab with everything he’s got.
âAs a player, his mindset is a little different than most. Heâs so regimented at what he does,â Burkholder said. âHeâs in here at 6 a.m.; heâs the last guy out at night. Heâll take the rehab like that.â
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