Andy Reid Address Chiefs Backup QB Questions Ahead of Super Bowl

When getting ready for a Super Bowl, particularly one as important as this Sunday's, smart teams prepare for anything. For the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, that means having a contingency plan should a backup quarterback need to enter the game.

Patrick Mahomes is the sun around which the Chiefs orbit, but he's suffered injuries in the playoffs before, notably when Chad Henne stepped in to help beat the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022.

This is a nightmare scenario for fans to even consider and hopefully Mahomes will be fine, yet head coach Andy Reid still clarified questions about the backup quarterback spot before Sunday's kickoff. Carson Wentz struggled in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos, though his teammates and coaches still have faith in him in a big moment.

Andy Reid Expresses Faith in Carson Wentz as Chiefs Backup QB

Speaking to the media, Reid first referenced Henne's contributions, saying, "When he got in the game, everybody had confidence in him." That's true, as Henne calmly led a 98-yard TD drive against the Browns, completing six of eight passes for 66 yards and a TD. In the Jaguars game, he threw another TD pass with five completions in seven attempts.

Henne was exactly what the Chiefs needed in those moments, but can fans have the same confidence in Wentz?

"I'd say the same things there," Reid continued. "He just hasn't had the opportunity."

In Week 18, Wentz's first real playing time, he was 10-for-17 for 98 yards. He took four sacks as Kansas City was demolished by Denver 38-0. To be fair to Wentz, he was playing with the Chiefs' backups and a makeshift offensive line, so he was set up to fail in many ways.

Wentz has impressed the coaching staff and his teammates in practice and has a strong track record, finishing third in NFL MVP voting back in 2017. No one wants to see him on the field this Sunday, but at least Reid sounds comfortable should that situation arise.

Mahomes is one of the toughest players in the entire league. Barring absolute disaster, he'll do everything in his power to remain in the game even if he's injured.

FanDuel Sportsbook has the Chiefs as 1.5-point favorites with -120 odds on the moneyline. Considering what this game means to Mahomes and his legacy, don't expect to see Wentz. If he does play though, Reid probably has a trick or two up his sleeve to help the journeyman signal caller.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.