Jordan Ta’amu could provide long-term backup for KC Chiefs

Do you remember when adding a quarterback in the offseason would drive KC Chiefs fans into a frenzy? I sure do. Jordan Ta’amu might not bring that excitement level, but he has a lot to bring to this offense.

Every mid to late round draft flyer, every veteran addition, every YouTube trick-shot sensation. They all registered on our radar, and we would rush to whatever screen we could to look up what would hopefully be the savior of our franchise. Ricky Stanzi, Alex Tanney, Tyler Bray, Tyler Palko, Tyler Thigpen (we loved our Tyler’s, apparently) would be talked up by every Kansas City Chiefs fan, and we would convince ourselves the suffering would soon be over.

Thanks to Patrick Mahomes, we don’t have to worry about that anymore, which is why the signings of quarterbacks Shea Patterson and Jordan Ta’amu have largely been shrugged off by many fans of the team.

So today, we are going to take a quick look at one of those quarterbacks, and see what value he can bring in the short and long-term. First, let’s get a little background on the former XFL star who has been affectionately nicknamed the Throwin’ Samoan

College Career

Firstly, let’s start with how to say his name. It’s Jordan Tay-Ah-Moo, for those that were wondering. Ta’amu played college ball at the New Mexico Military Institute for two seasons, then transferred to the University of Mississippi to play in the SEC.

In 2017. he was the backup to also new Chiefs quarterback Shea Patterson. Due to injury to Patterson, Ta’amu started the last five games for Ole Miss. Going into the 2018 season, Patterson transferred to Michigan and Ta’amu took over as the team’s starter.

That season, Ta’amu threw for 3,918 yards, 19 touchdowns, and ran for an additional 342 yards and six touchdowns. He finished second in the SEC in passing yards behind only 2020 first round pick Tua Tagovailoa, who played in three more games than Ta’amu.

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Professional Career

After going undrafted, Ta’amu spent about a month in training camp with the Houston Texans. After his release, he decided to go play for a start up football league called the XFL, and was named the starting quarterback of the St. Louis Battlehawks.

In five games in the XFL, Ta’amu threw for 1,050 yards, five touchdowns, and had the Battlehawks at a respectable 3-2. He has also added another 217 yards on the ground to go with one score, and was being talked about as a potential XFL MVP before the league shut down due to Covid-19, and subsequently folded.

Kansas City and what he brings

Ta’amu is an interesting prospect. Everywhere he has played, his numbers have been solid but unspectacular. He has always kept the interceptions low, and  he brings mobility that is paramount in today’s NFL.

I must confess I loved the idea of a start-up football league and being from Missouri, the XFL team I watched was the Battlehawks. It was apparent Ta’amu had some talent, and watching him play made it obvious he was one of the best quarterbacks in the developmental league.

In the short-term, Ta’amu doesn’t add much value to the Kansas City Chiefs. He will have a chance to push Chad Henne for the number two spot, but ultimately Henne’s experience and maturity will probably win him that role.

Ta’amu will likely take the role of third string quarterback who may move between the practice squad and active roster, depending on the Chiefs injury situation through the season.

In the long-term, however, Ta’amu is intriguing. His game more closely resembles Patrick Mahomes’ than Henne’s does. He doesn’t have a rocket arm, but it is a more lively than Henne’s due to being over a decade younger than him. Ta’amu also has decent mobility and athleticism, which allows him to evade pressure in a way that Henne can’t.

A good comparison for Ta’amu is actually a former Chiefs quarterback in Alex Smith. In his time in Kansas City, Alex Smith was mentally well beyond Ta’amu, so I am not saying he would play at Alex’s level. Their play style is similar, though. Mobility, safe throws, smart decisions, getting the balls to weapons and out quickly, things of that nature.

As a backup, Ta’amu would provide the type of play Teddy Bridgewater brought to the Saints when Drew Brees missed six games int 2020. He may not wow you, but he isn’t going to outright lose for you. Mix that with some natural ability and a great situation, and Ta’amu could be an upper tier back up in the NFL.

This makes Ta’amu a good long-term prospect to back up Mahomes. Learning from Andy Reid and Mahomess is the ideal situational for Ta’amu to advance in the mental aspect of the game.

Learning a complex offense, how to read NFL level defenses, and how to go about everyday life as pro in the NFL would be largely beneficial to Jordan Ta’amu, and could afford the Chiefs a young, cost controlled back up for the foreseeable future.