When a football team has their franchise quarterback at the helm, the next step is to build the quarterback room with a solid backup and third string who can come in at anytime and be productive. The Kansas City Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid are exceptional at taking once highly touted quarterbacks who have struggled in recent years and revive their career as a backup signal-caller.

In recent memory, the Chiefs had former tenth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft in Blaine Gabbert as their backup last season for Patrick Mahomes. Gabbert started the final regular season matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers as the team was locked for the playoffs; an injury to Mahomes was not needed and this was the proper move at the time. The only thing that did not work was the production from Gabbert. Even though he helped defeat the Chargers 13-12, his statistics were not the best. He finished completing 50% of his passes (15-30) for 154 yards, 46 rushing yards, and one interception to zero touchdowns.

Gabbert won the game even though it did not truly matter, and dealt with key starters being out. With Gabbert becoming slightly older for NFL standards, 34, the organization decided to sign former second overall draft pick Carson Wentz to a one-year contract. The move honestly creates a perfect backup role for Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Wentz is still relatively young, has some successful NFL experience even more than Gabbert has ever had, and his statistics and ability to play seem to still be at a decently high enough level. Wentz played in the Rams’  final regular season game similar to what the Chiefs did with Gabbert and he had a much better outing. Wentz went 17-24 for 176 yards with two touchdowns and just one interception. He registered a 12-yard rushing touchdown and completing a pass to Tutu Atwell on a two point conversion, winning the game 21-20 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Comparing Wentz and his entire NFL career so far to Gabbert and even quarterback Chad Henne, who served as Mahomes backup from 2018-2022, is just an improvement overall. Henne and his backup play won the Chiefs a key AFC Divisional Game against the Cleveland Browns in 2021, propelling them to reach the Super Bowl in which they eventually lost 31-9 to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here is a comparison of the statistics and career wins to losses of Henne, Gabbert, and Wentz.

Chad Henne: 

Record: 18-36

Yards: 13,379

Touchdowns: 61

Interceptions: 64

Blaine Gabbert: 

Record: 14-35

Yards: 9,487

Touchdowns: 51

Interceptions: 50

* Carson Wentz:

Record: 47-46-1

Yards: 22,292

Touchdowns: 153

Interceptions: 67

*WINNER: WENTZ

To conclude, the acquisition of Wentz on a one-year contract is perfect for the Chiefs. Coach Reid runs a very similar scheme to what Wentz has been in most recently with Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams, and his most recent success in the regular season finale proves that he still can deal it. He is clearly the right man for the backup role to Mahomes and he is an instant upgrade from the two previous backups that Mahomes has been surrounded with.