The Kansas City Chiefs may well be without Patrick Mahomes to start the 2025 NFL season, after their two-time MVP suffered an ACL and LCL tear late on in the regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers.
ACL tears normally have a 9-12 month return timeline, so the three-time Super Bowl champion would need to return in less time than the optimistic end of the injury schedule – a hair under nine months – to be back for the team’s season opener in early-mid September 2026.
And unfortunately for the team, backup QB Gardner Minshew, also suffered a knee injury just weeks later against the Tennessee Titans, after the team had already been eliminated from playoff contention – although he did manage to avoid an ACL tear.
Whilst Minshew may be ready for the start of the 2026 season, his contract is up in March. And even when fit, his form has been very up-and-down over the course of his career; some tremendous highs as a starter in Indianapolis have been counterbalanced with unimpressive stretches in Las Vegas.
So, it could make sense for Kansas City to turn to a a high-upside and yet tried-and-tested player to come in as quality insurance for the team in the case that Mahomes is not ready physically for September. And that insurance – at least in this free agent proposal – comes in the form of the franchise’s former backup, Carson Wentz.
Chiefs Could Need A New QB Until Patrick Mahomes Return
Wentz – like Minshew but on steroids – has been the epitome of a high highs and low lows career in the pros. A near MVP season in Philadelphia and subsequent years of good play ultimately finished when his spot was usurped by current Eagles QB, Jalen Hurts.
Wentz bounced back in Indianapolis in 2021, before a crushing loss in the final game of the season to the lowly (at the time) Jacksonville Jaguars saw the Colts move him for a pair of third round picks to the Washington Commanders, where he struggled mightily.
After backup stints with the Rams in 2023 and the Chiefs in 2024, Wentz became JJ McCarthy’s #2 in 2025 and showed out during his five starts whilst ‘Nine’ was recovering from a high-ankle sprain.
Why A Carson Wentz Return To KC Makes Sense
A win-loss record of 2-3, a 65.1% completion percentage, 1,216 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions – all for an 85.6 QBR – is hardly MVP-quality numbers, but it is the work of a starting caliber – admittedly lower end starting caliber – quarterback in the league.
And due to his age, unpredictability and reputation as not the best locker room guy, it feels unlikely that another franchise will hand the keys over to him as the QB1, at least not at his point in time.
Thus, Kansas City will likely be able to attract Wentz for a contract in the range of $5-10 million/year, and quite possibly less.
The former All-Pro QB is familiar with the Chiefs, their system and coaching staff, and showed in Minnesota that with a good framework around him he can still make big plays and efficiently run an offense.
Chiefs Free Agent Suggestion Reunites Them With All-Pro QB