It’s not a good time to be the Kansas City Chiefs. Currently sitting at 6-9 and out of playoff contention, what’s worrying is their quarterback room. Or the lack thereof. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined with a season-ending torn ACL in Week 15, and backup Gardner Minshew limping off the field early in the second quarter the next week, hope is thin. Especially with Chris Oladokun’s first-ever regular season pass coming on Sunday. Thankfully, Andy Reid is already thinking of the future.

“Just by numbers, if that’s the case, Brett’s on it, looking at different people there,” the head coach told reporters when asked how difficult it would be to prepare Oladokun.

Notably, during the eventual 26-9 loss this past Sunday, the veteran backup completed 11-of-16 passes for 111 yards and a 88.3 rating, leading the team to points on three of his first four drives despite zero practice reps. He also added two carries for seven yards, and endured four Titans sacks.

Many argued it was a reasonably good performance after being thrust into the gridiron mid-game. However, others disagree, given his veteran status as a 2022 draftee. For now, Reid falls into the former category.

“I thought he did OK,” he said. “He was able to get us moving a little bit. I probably could give him better stuff to work with — in particular, get him some more reps during the week. He doesn’t have any reps to lead, but I thought for what he was asked to do he did a nice job.”

As for Minshew, who completed three of eight passes for 15 yards and carried once for eight yards, the Chiefs reportedly fear yet another torn ACL.

The 29-year-old sustained a left knee injury on the third play of the game during a scramble. He fell to the turf with a noncontact injury. Getting up immediately, Minshew limped off the field, but came back soon after.

Unfortunately, he was unable to use proper footwork on passing attempts. After re-evaluation in the medical tent, the quarterback was sent to the locker room with a hug from Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs’ vice president of sports medicine and performance.

If he stays out, Oladokun may start for the Chiefs on Thursday against the Denver Broncos. And, in Oladokun’s absence, tight end Noah Gray will serve as the team’s third-string emergency quarterback.

Yet, it’s no secret that the Chiefs will need at least one more quarterback in the squad.

Who could the next quarterback in the Chiefs?

Andy Reid is going to need someone to back Oladokun up and handle scout-team duties in practice. The situation opens the door for a few familiar names, per Sports Illustrated. The first option is Bailey Zappe, who spent two seasons with the New England Patriots. However, they released the 26-year-old during final roster cuts in 2024.

Zappe joined the Chiefs’ practice squad just two days later and has already had a second stint. He is currently on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad but is still eligible to join another team. Further, another possibility is Shane Buechele, who’s part of the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad for now. In 2021, the Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent and kept him around for two seasons.

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Still, Buechele has yet to throw a pass in an NFL game. Then there’s Notre Dame graduate Ian Book, who is the only true free agent out of all. The player signed a contract with the Chiefs in January 2024 but was not retained on the roster after the cuts. If Andy Reid prefers not to steal a quarterback from other teams, Book could be the simplest and cleanest option.