Could Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew, now at full health, continue in KC?
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- Gardner Minshew recovered from a knee bone bruise and is back to full strength.
- Chiefs coach Andy Reid affirmed confidence in Minshew as a veteran backup for the roster.
- Chiefs prefer experienced backup quarterbacks who understand the role and win games.
With Gardner Minshew back at full strength, could he continue in his role as the Chiefs’ backup quarterback?
A Tuesday report on social media by ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Minshew has recovered from a bone bruise on his knee, an injury suffered during a Week 16 game at the Tennessee Titans.
The injury originally was feared to be a torn ACL, but that was ruled out a few days after the Titans game.
Minshew was starting his first game for the Chiefs in the absence of star QB Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL and LCL the previous week.
Chris Oladokun finished the Titans game for the Chiefs at quarterback and also started their final two games. Shane Buechele played in the second half of the finale at the Las Vegas Raiders.
While recovering, Mahomes will be unable to lead his typical offseason workouts. In an interview earlier this month, Chiefs coach Andy Reid suggested Minshew, who signed a one-year deal with KC for the 2025 season and is now approaching free agency, could continue here in the backup role.
“We had brought Gardner in to do that, and unfortunately, he got hurt early in that (Titans) game, but we still have a ton of confidence that he can do that,” Reid said. “He was only here for a year and that was what his contract was.”
If not Minshew, a seven-year NFL veteran, the Chiefs would be interested in a player with similar experience. Their backup quarterbacks before Minshew were veterans Carson Wentz, Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne.
“That type of player is what you want in that position and somebody that has won games in the league and at the same time understands his role and handles himself right in the room becomes an important thing,” Reid said.
A sixth-round pick in 2019, Minshew has played 63 games with 47 starts for the Jaguars, Eagles, Colts, Raiders and Chiefs.
Besides his start against the Titans, Minshew appeared in three other games for the Chiefs.
This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 3:29 PM with the headline "Could Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew, now at full health, continue in KC?."