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Imago

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Imago

There have been many journeymen in the NFL… Patrick Mahomes is not one of them. He is an entertainer. Watching him play is like you are hearing this question on repeat: ‘Are you not entertained?’ Not to bugger off the Chiefsdom, but even when the Eagles D had him on lock in SB LIX, we could hear that question. But for different reasons. An element of shock was there.

I mean, we saw a two-time MVP down bad… A sack, sack, pick-6 sequence… Yikes!

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However, even with Philly’s revenge done, Pat made the headlines. Maybe that’s a GOAT stature already. And the reason why the Chiefs are allergic to losing in January. Replacing him? Not happening. So, we shouldn’t talk about it either. Add to this the fact that the collapse of the Patriots’ Dynasty after TB12 left Foxborough to join the Bucs is a lesson enough for generations to come.

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But backing your GOATs up with a reliable passer and mover, even if they pray he never sees the field, can never go wrong

So here we are. Kansas City had a decision to make, and after some deliberation, Andy Reid found his guy. Enter: Gardner Minshew. A mustachioed gunslinger who’s had more stops than a Greyhound bus. He’s not Mahomes. He’s not even close. But he’s a name, and in the world of backup quarterbacks, that’s half the battle.

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Now, let’s talk about why this makes sense. Minshew is coming off a stint in Vegas where, let’s be honest, things didn’t exactly go according to plan. The Raiders dumped him with a failed physical tag, leaving him with a bruised shoulder and an even more bruised ego.

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And if your memory serves you right, you might remember him for being one of the reasons Davante Adams left Sin City to join the Gang! The other? Aidan O’Connell. So, basically, we are trying to say is that Minshew is not a QB1. Never. But a QB2?

Okay, so let me set the scene for you. I am not going to jinx it, but a QB2 in KC is like watching the game from the best possible view in any stadium. Carson Wentz played only one game last season. But that’s where Reid and Co. need a QB who can step up. Wentz struggled in that ONE GAME. Signing off with just 98 passing yards. Nothing else. Nada.

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Minshew was not elite, either. However, if, and when, he’s called up and could deliver a game like he did against the Ravens last season, when he led the Raiders to a comeback dub—276 yds, 1 TD, and 1 interception—it’s a win-win for everyone.

Maybe, just maybe, the Chiefs saw that and nabbed him because there can’t be anything extra that he could bring to the QB room.

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Now, contract details? Still in the vault. But here’s what we know: The Raiders still owe Minshew a hefty chunk of cash, meaning the Chiefs are getting him on the clearance rack. And in a league where backups can command starter money, that’s a win. Even if he never takes a meaningful snap, this is about peace of mind.

Patrick Mahomes’ ‘great dude’ Carson Wentz must find that bag elsewhere

Before the 2024 season kicked off, this is what Patrick Mahomes said about Carson Wentz: “A great dude and super talented.” But being Mahomes’ backup is a strange gig—you hardly ever play. And that’s why the Gardner Minshew’s move to KC could be a blessing in disguise for Wentz to look for his next shot. Maybe as a starter because, like Pat noted, Wentz was actually a frontrunner to win the 2017 MVP.

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So, the Dawg Pound, how’d you feel about a wild Wentz coming to Cleveland?

The Browns’ offseason hasn’t exactly been smooth. Kirk Cousins staying in Atlanta threw a wrench in their plans, and Russell Wilson’s visit didn’t guarantee anything. Now, Wentz is suddenly on their radar. Mutual interest? Maybe. Desperation? Definitely. With Kenny Pickett already in the mix, adding Wentz would create, at best, a low-stakes QB battle and, at worst, an underwhelming quarterback room.

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Let’s talk numbers. Wentz has a 3-6 record over the past two seasons, with a 63% completion rate. He’s thrown 13 touchdowns against 10 interceptions—hardly inspiring stuff. In fact, over the last two years, he’s attempted just 43 passes. That’s not a sample size; that’s a preseason workload. But Cleveland, stuck without many options, might take what they can get.

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Of course, Wentz wouldn’t be Cleveland’s long-term answer. The Browns still have eyes on the draft, where they’re expected to target a quarterback early. Cam Ward is the favorite with Shedeur Sanders’ stock slipping. But until the draft unfolds, they need someone to throw passes that aren’t check-downs or hospital balls. Wentz, for all his flaws, has been a starter before. That alone might make him worth a flier.

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So, what’s next? The Browns have decisions to make, and Wentz is one of them. If he signs, he’ll be competing with Pickett for a starting job neither was supposed to have. If not, Cleveland keeps spinning the QB roulette wheel, hoping this time they don’t land on “bust.” Either way, Patrick Mahomes’ “great dude” is about to find out just how much interest is actually mutual.

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Syed Talib Haider

1,219 Articles

Syed Talib Haider is the NFL Editor at EssentiallySports with over five years of experience as a sports beat reporter. He began his journey at the outlet covering the NFL, steadily building a strong readership for his in-depth reporting on major events, most notably as a senior writer during Super Bowl LIX, where his coverage helped capture the immediacy and drama of the game. His work during that season led to his promotion to the editorial desk, where he now oversees NFL coverage and guides the outlet’s strategy. Talib’s career has taken him from grassroots football fields to rivalries and high-profile NFL debates, where his insider knowledge adds depth and context to the sport’s biggest storylines. Beyond football, his portfolio extends across Formula 1, tennis, cricket, and combat sports. In addition to feature writing and profiles, he has built a reputation for sharp, real-time updates, providing readers with clear and reliable reporting as games unfold and news breaks. A former founder of his college’s Literature Club, Talib brings leadership, natural fluency, and narrative strength to his work.

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Garima Yadav

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