5 Chiefs Playing for Their Job in Preseason Week 1
The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their preseason slate when they pay a visit to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. It's been six months since Chiefs fans watched Patrick Mahomes & Co. hoist the Lombardi Trophy, so it'll be nice to finally get some action (even if it's only an exhibition contest).
The NFL preseason — especially the first game — is important for players sitting on the roster bubble. Even though the 53-man roster deadline isn't until Aug. 27, players must do their best to impress Andy Reid's coaching staff as soon as possible or risk being given the early axe.
With that in mind, here are five Chiefs who are playing for their jobs against the Jaguars this weekend.
1. Ian Book, QB
With Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz beginning the 2024 season as Kansas City's top two quarterbacks, Ian Book is left to compete with Chris Oladokun for the QB3 job. The former Notre Dame signal-caller was signed to a futures contract back in January following failed stints with the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Book, 26, is still young enough to have a future ahead of him, but he hasn't done a good job at convincing anyone of that this offseason. He hasn't done much to garner attention whether that was during OTAs or training camp, which isn't good for his outlook given that it isn't as if he has any history with the Chiefs to secure him a roster spot.
Mahomes and Wentz have nothing to prove, meaning that Book and Oladokun will see the brunt of QB snaps this preseason. In other words, Book must make the most of any opportunities given to him. The El Dorado Hills, CA native only has only started in one career NFL game, completing 60.0% of passes for 135 yards with two interceptions in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 of the 2021 season.
If Book showcases some serious improvements against the Jaguars, he should remain in the QB3 competition. If not, he might be looking for a new franchise to join in the near future.