Despite what Madden ratings might indicate, the Kansas City Chiefs have the league's best starter. As long as Patrick Mahomes is upright, no team in the league has shown itself consistently capable of stopping this force. Only two active quarterbacks have beaten Mahomes when games truly mattered. Jalen Hurts and Joe Burrow are both elevated based on this impressive accomplishment. However, with Tom Brady two years removed from action, the Chiefs' quarterback continues to be disrespected. Kansas City fans understand this is anything but new.
Looking at the rest of the Chiefs' quarterback room, it becomes clear who is on the bubble. Former rival Gardner Minshew has been signed as the team's primary backup. This leaves Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun competing for the final roster spot. There is very little mystery in how this is expected to play out in the next weeks. While the preseason could change minds, Zappe appears destined to win the final roster spot at the position. The struggling quarterback's starting experience offers more value in an emergency role.
Chiefs Quarterback Lacks Any Path to Winning a Roster Spot
Chiefs' fans understand that if you're down to your second quarterback for any substantial amount of time, the season is lost. Still, fans want to see teams add as much talent to the position as possible. Minshew is an example of this as an experienced starter who could give the team a chance to win for a short window. While the odds of Zappe doing this are substantially smaller, there were a handful of positive moments in the quarterback's time with the New England Patriots.
Zappe has shown enough that barring a tough preseason, the team would be wise to move forward with the veteran and demote Oladukon to the practice squad. The quarterback's mobility and how he has helped the franchise prepare are of great value. Zappe doesn't offer this wrinkle, but carries more value as a member of the active roster. If two quarterbacks were to go down, the team could run closer to its version of offense with the experienced starter. While neither player is likely to take the field, it seems it Oladukon is destined to be a roster cut.
Kansas City appears likely to start the season with Mahomes, Minshew, and Zappe rostered in this order. The practice squad quarterback simply doesn't have a path to another role for a team that continues to employ the best group in the league.