KC Chiefs: EJ Manuel signing means backup quarterback job up for grabs

The KC Chiefs made a move on Friday night, bringing in quarterback EJ Manuel. The signing means that Chad Henne winning the backup quarterback job in 2019 isn’t necessarily a given.

Chiefs Kingdom used to obsess about the backup quarterback a lot. That all changes when your team has the reigning MVP at quarterback though. Even with a star at quarterback, the Kansas City Chiefs have proven that they’re continuing to invest at the backup spot, already having Chad Henne on their roster and recently signing EJ Manuel to compete against him for a job.

Patrick Mahomes is the starter no matter what happens, but if (knock on wood please) something happens and he can’t play, then the Chiefs need a viable backup to be able to come in and win games for them.

We didn’t see much of Chad Henne last year. In fact, the ten-year NFL veteran didn’t see the field until week 17 when he completed two passes for 29 yards. Henne is experienced in the league and he’s signed for another season, so many probably assumed he’d be a sure thing to win the backup job in 2019.

Bringing in Manuel isn’t a bad move by any means, but will it lead to anything? That’ll be something we’ll all be keeping our eyes on this spring and summer.

Manuel was a first round pick by the Bills in 2013 (the same year in which the Chiefs had the first overall pick and could have taken Manuel had they been desperate enough at quarterback) and spent the first four years of his career there. His time in Buffalo was underwhelming and the organization parted ways with him at the end of his rookie deal.

Manuel spent the last two seasons in Oakland and appeared in two games in 2017, throwing for 265 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. That was the last time we saw the former Florida State signal caller in action during the regular season.

Chad Henne more than likely will hold onto the backup job for 2019, but EJ Manuel is a former starter and could give him a run for his money. KC also has Chase Litton on their roster, but he was a rookie last season and spent the entire year on the practice squad. It’s doubtful that Litton jumps both Henne and Manuel on the depth chart.

While signing a quarterback always makes headlines, EJ Manuel might not ever see the field for the KC Chiefs. Remember a few years ago when the team brought in Terrelle Pryor? We spent time speculating about what it meant for the quarterback position and Pryor was cut not long after.

Henne is the better backup between the two, but Manuel is a cheaper option. Perhaps that comes into play or the Chiefs simply brought him in to have another body for camp this summer.

We’ll see how everything plays out in the coming months!