Posted on Dec 22

Chiefs sign Buechele as Minshew injures knee, Mahomes out for season

Posted Dec 22, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a critical quarterback crisis as they navigate the end of the season without their star player, Patrick Mahomes, and now with Gardner Minshew sidelined due to a knee injury.

Why it matters: The Chiefs’ quarterback depth is in jeopardy, compounded by Minshew’s injury. With both Mahomes and Minshew unavailable for future games, the team must rely on Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun, significantly impacting their offensive strategy and prospects for the remainder of the season.

The Chiefs currently hold a 6-9 record and face the likelihood of finishing with a losing season for the first time under head coach Andy Reid.
This situation puts additional pressure on the coaching staff to adapt their offensive schemes to maximize the capabilities of lesser-known quarterbacks.

What’s new: The Chiefs have signed Shane Buechele from the Buffalo Bills practice squad, adding much-needed depth to their quarterback room after Minshew suffered his knee injury during a loss to the Titans.

Buechele had previously spent two seasons with Kansas City (2021-2022), offering familiarity with the team's playbook.
Minshew's injury was confirmed not to be a torn ACL, yet he will still miss significant time, leaving the team vulnerable.

Yes, but: While the acquisition of Buechele provides some relief, it raises questions regarding the team's overall preparedness for the demanding playoff chase that lies ahead.

Chris Oladokun, who took over after Minshew's injury, only has one previous regular-season appearance where he backed up Carson Wentz in a substantial loss to the Denver Broncos.
The transition to a backup quarterback often results in a steep learning curve, impacting the execution of offensive strategies, especially given the Chiefs’ reliance on a fast-paced, high-flying offense.

What to watch: As the Chiefs move forward, the performance of Buechele and Oladokun will be pivotal in determining the team's capacity to remain competitive in their final games.

The coaching staff will need to adapt their offensive system, potentially scaling back complex plays in favor of simplified schemes that can be effectively executed by less experienced quarterbacks.
Observers should monitor how the team adjusts its game plan—whether leaning towards short passes or run-heavy sets to relieve pressure on the quarterbacks.

The bottom line: The Chiefs are at a crossroads, with a quarterback situation that could derail their postseason aspirations.

They must quickly find ways to rally their remaining roster and implement effective game plans around their newly assembled quarterback duo.
The fate of the season now hinges on the adaptability of both players and coaches as they strive to turn a tumultuous situation into an opportunity for growth and resilience.

Chiefs sign Buechele as Minshew injures knee, Mahomes out for season

Alex Parker

Posted Dec 22, 2025

The Chiefs currently hold a 6-9 record and face the likelihood of finishing with a losing season for the first time under head coach Andy Reid.

This situation puts additional pressure on the coaching staff to adapt their offensive schemes to maximize the capabilities of lesser-known quarterbacks.

Buechele had previously spent two seasons with Kansas City (2021-2022), offering familiarity with the team's playbook.

Minshew's injury was confirmed not to be a torn ACL, yet he will still miss significant time, leaving the team vulnerable.

Yes, but: While the acquisition of Buechele provides some relief, it raises questions regarding the team's overall preparedness for the demanding playoff chase that lies ahead.

Chris Oladokun, who took over after Minshew's injury, only has one previous regular-season appearance where he backed up Carson Wentz in a substantial loss to the Denver Broncos.

The transition to a backup quarterback often results in a steep learning curve, impacting the execution of offensive strategies, especially given the Chiefs’ reliance on a fast-paced, high-flying offense.

What to watch: As the Chiefs move forward, the performance of Buechele and Oladokun will be pivotal in determining the team's capacity to remain competitive in their final games.

The coaching staff will need to adapt their offensive system, potentially scaling back complex plays in favor of simplified schemes that can be effectively executed by less experienced quarterbacks.

Observers should monitor how the team adjusts its game plan—whether leaning towards short passes or run-heavy sets to relieve pressure on the quarterbacks.

The bottom line: The Chiefs are at a crossroads, with a quarterback situation that could derail their postseason aspirations.

They must quickly find ways to rally their remaining roster and implement effective game plans around their newly assembled quarterback duo.

The fate of the season now hinges on the adaptability of both players and coaches as they strive to turn a tumultuous situation into an opportunity for growth and resilience.