The Patrick Mahomes era for the Kansas City Chiefs has been fascinating for numerous reasons, and everyone in the 816 and 913 area codes feels overjoyed that the organization hasn't needed to find a legitimate starter under center in recent years.
Even still, it's always wise to have a capable backup and Gardner Minshew is the latest example of the team's brass trying to prepare for a worst-case scenario. Mahomes has gone down with injury multiple times in the playoffs and needed guys like Chad Henne to step up in the interim, helping salvage a potentially disastrous situation.
Now, Kansas City has a new opportunity to secure a long-term backup with immense potential, even if he just becomes a trade piece down the line.
A QB decision in Indy: Colts named Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback for their Sept. 7 regular-season opener vs. the Miami Dolphins, per @HolderStephen and me. pic.twitter.com/7PfrSu1m9I
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2025
Chiefs Should Acquire QB Anthony Richardson as a Long-Term Backup
The Indianapolis Colts reportedly named Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback, relegating Anthony Richardson to the bench. It's a stunning move from former Chiefs executive Chris Ballard, and it illustrates just how hot his seat is overall.
For the Chiefs, it gives the front office an opportunity. Richardson is an incredible physical talent at 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds with 4.4 40-yard dash speed. He has a cannon for an arm, but limited experience has rendered him a raw project who is flaming out in Indianapolis. Richardson needs a fresh start, and Kansas City could give it to him.
Formerly the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson has an 8-7 record as a starter despite his obvious flaws, suggesting there's something worth molding. Despite throwing just 11 TDs to 13 interceptions, his 10 rushing scores are illustrative of the fact that sometimes, passing stats aren't the most important thing. If you can keep defenses guessing with your legs, that opens up a lot for an offense.
If Richardson were to become available in a trade and Ballard were willing to trade with the Chiefs, quarterback guru Andy Reid is the perfect person to develop him. Richardson could sit behind Mahomes and learn one of the league's best offenses with talented teachers guiding him. That's valuable and is at least an idea worth considering.
Minshew is locked in as Kansas City's backup, but as we've seen with Henne, Matt Moore, Carson Wentz, and Blaine Gabbert, that's often just a one-year proposition. Richardson could be a long-term option and is the exact kind of talent that Veach targets.
If he could be had for a mid-to-late-round 2026 draft pick, the Chiefs at least need to consider it.