The Kansas City Chiefs’ nightmare season continued in Week 16 as they fell 26-9 to the Tennessee Titans. But before the Chiefs had a chance to wrap their heads around the loss, third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun’s phone buzzed with a text from Patrick Mahomes. The franchise quarterback, nursing a season-ending injury, was reaching out before anyone else thought to check in.

“I opened my phone, he was the first text I saw,” Oladokun said after his first NFL start this season. “That’s the type of guy he is. We’ve gotten pretty close over the last four years. I don’t have a big brother. So, in a way, he’s been taking over like a big brother role for me–not only on the field and my development, but also off the field, just always being there for me.”

Kansas City is limping through its first losing season under head coach Andy Reid at 6-9, a collapse nobody saw coming in September. The dynasty feels like it’s on life support. But Mahomes? He’s still shaping his QB room from the sidelines, still playing big brother when most stars would’ve checked out mentally. Four years of practice squad reps and film sessions have built this bond.

Oladokun signed with KC in 2022, grinding through multiple reserve contracts while Mahomes piled up MVPs and Super Bowl rings. Now, the understudy is center stage, leaning on everything he absorbed watching the master work.

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His first completion was a six-yarder to Travis Kelce in the second quarter. That catch pushed Kelce past 800 receiving yards for his 12th straight season, joining Jerry Rice in the history books.

“If you would’ve told me my first completion was gonna be to him, I probably would have laughed at you,” Oladokun admitted.

He finished 11-of-16 for 111 yards with zero touchdowns or picks, taking four sacks while guiding Kansas City into field-goal range on his first four drives. Not spectacular, but enough to keep things from turning into a complete disaster. But here’s the thing: Oladokun wasn’t supposed to play at all on Sunday.

Gardner Minshew’s injury reshapes Chiefs’ final two weeks

QB2 Gardner Minshew had an opportunity to steal the spotlight, but he went down on the third offensive snap of the day with a non-contact injury.

He grabbed his left knee immediately and tried fighting through it before his mechanics finally betrayed him. Three completions on eight attempts for 15 yards, and then he was done. Post-game, Reid offered a small update.

“As far as injuries go, Gardner hurt his left knee,” Reid noted. “We don’t have any results for you here. We’ll get that when he has a chance to get an MRI.”

The biggest fear is that of an ACL tear, the same injury that ended Mahomes’ season in Week 15. If Minshew has to miss time due to this injury, that’s just brutal timing for a team already facing heartbreak.

Kansas City’s got two games left. A Christmas night showdown against the Denver Broncos and Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders. But without any playoff implications, both games feel a little meaningless. And without Minshew, both games would fall squarely on Oladokun’s shoulders. No backup plan or veteran safety net to cover him. But he’s excited for the opportunity.

“It’s going to be real valuable for us moving forward for years to come here in Kansas City,” said Oladokun. “The possibility of me making a first start on Christmas Day is pretty special. I have my family in town. So, I’m looking forward to it.”

Moreover, Oladokun has Mahomes in his ear. That text after the Titans’ loss was a reminder that someone who’s been exactly where he is still believes in him. Reid & Co. may already be looking at new signal callers.

The next two weeks may not salvage this season, but they will show whether four years of mentorship from a future Hall of Famer actually stuck.