The Kansas City Chiefs have added some insurance in case Patrick Mahomes is not ready to start the season, signing a new quarterback who can bring depth and some competition in the summer.
NFL Network insider Mike Garofolo reported on Monday that the Chiefs picked up a former New Orleans Saints quarterback who competed for the starting job.
“The #Chiefs are signing QB Jake Haener, source says,” Garofolo reported. “The former fourth-round pick of the #Saints was on the practice squad to end the season. His contract expired and he chose to head to Kansas City.”
The Chiefs may need a fill-in starter while Mahomes continues to recover from a torn ACL and LCL, with rehab that could potentially stretch into the start of the coming season.
Jake Haener’s Fresh Start in Kansas City
As SI.com’s Zach Pressnell noted, Haener failed to make much of an impression in one of the league’s worst quarterback rooms last season.
“The Saints opted to draft Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. These three quarterbacks formed the worst unit in the league coming into the season,” Pressnell wrote.
Haener has limited experience in the NFL, sitting out his entire rookie seaons in 2023 before appearing in eight games the next season, including one start while veteran Derek Carr was out. Haener threw for 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Pressnell noted that Haener won’t compete for a starting job in Kansas City, but will add some depth.
“The Chiefs need to add to their quarterback room with Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines for most of the season with a torn ACL,” Pressnell wrote. “Haener might not be of much use to the Saints besides organizational depth, but there’s a chance he could develop into Mahomes’ long-term backup. Either way, this should be a solid addition for the Chiefs. It’s not going to move the needle, but it’s a fine depth addition.”
Patrick Mahomes Progressing Through Rehab
Mahomes has already been at work rehabbing from the injury that cut his season short in December. He spoke to reporters in mid-January, saying he is making steady progress toward his goals so far.
“First off, rehab is going great so far. I’ve been hitting all the checkpoints that the doctor wants you to do and getting the strength and the range of mobility back,” Mahomes said, via USA Today. “So, that’s been going great. I’ve been doing all of it here in Kansas City so far. (Assistant Athletic Trainer) Julie (Frymyer) has been crushing it, pushing me. The doctor kind of gives you goals to get to, and I just try to maximize those, and they hold me back because I always want to go a little bit further. It’s been going great. I think in the long term, I want to be ready for Week 1.”
Mahomes said it wasn’t clear yet just when he would be able to take the field again, with the potential he misses some time during the regular season
“The doctor says that I could be [ready to start the season], but I can’t predict what’s going to happen throughout the process, but that’s my goal, so I’ll try to prepare myself to be ready to play in that Week 1 and have no restrictions,” Mahomes said.
Chiefs Add New Quarterback Amid Uncertainty Over Patrick Mahomes