The Chiefs' 2025 season ended in despair with questions about the most important position on the field - quarterback. Former seventh-round pick Chris Oladokun went from QB3 to starter when superstar QB Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his knee and QB Gardner Minshew went down with his own torn ACL. Oladokun has his feet to the fire again after the Chiefs took LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Oladokun played in the final three games of the season and really didn't do much. He was 35-for-55 (63.6%) for 235 yards and one touchdown. He took care of the ball, and his knowledge of the offense could give him the edge over Nussmeier.
Nussmeier was on the cusp of becoming a first-round draft pick before a sluggish 2025 season. Once heralded for his arm talent, anticipation and pocket presence, Nussmeier struggled with abdominal injuries in his senior campaign. He finished with 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Chiefs signed QB Justin Fields to be the backup in the offseason. It's possible Nussmeier could take precedent as Oladokun could clear waivers in order to go on the practice squad, but it'll be a heated battle either way.
A Running Back is on The Bubble
The Chiefs took a late flyer on RB Brashard Smith in the seventh round in 2025, and he played in all 17 games - albeit sparingly. He finished with 44 carries for 151 yards and no touchdowns. He also had 25 catches for 172 yards and a score through the air. He finds himself on the hot seat in training camp after the team brought in RB Emari Demercado from the Arizona Cardinals and drafted RB Emmett Johnson in the fifth round.
Both additions pushed Smith down to the RB4 spot on the depth chart. The team has raved about Johnson's work ethic, and he's already second on the depth chart behind starter Kenneth Walker III.
The Chiefs also have undrafted free-agents RB Jadyn Ott and RB EJ Smith in training camp. They're long shots to make the team, but their presence adds to the urgency Smith needs to have in his sophomore campaign.
