Chiefs backup QB job won’t be handed to Blaine Gabbert

The Kansas City Chiefs signed former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert on Tuesday to compete for their backup QB job. The key word in that sentence is compete.

Kansas City signed Blaine Gabbert, who spent the last few seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backing up Tom Brady, to take on the same role with Patrick Mahomes moving forward.

Gabbert is a former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but never quite worked out as a starting QB. He’s a more than capable backup and a solid addition to the Chiefs quarterback room. But despite all of this, Gabbert shouldn’t get things twisted — he’ll have to compete for the role of backing up Mahomes.

Shane Buechele, who has looked capable in preseason action and practice, remains on the roster. He and Gabbert will compete for the backup job, with the loser likely out of a job or on the practice squad.

Chiefs: What does Blaine Gabbert signing mean for Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes had an excellent relationship with Chad Henne, who helped mentor him along with Alex Smith in his early years in the NFL. The Chiefs trusted Henne to come in whenever called upon, as he knew the system better than most.

And Andy Reid had to do just that at a very inopportune time against the Jaguars in the NFL Playoffs. Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain, an injury which would impact him throughout Kansas City’s Super Bowl run, and was forced out of the game. Henne would then lead the Chiefs on a 99-yard touchdown drive. It was the stuff of legend.

Gabbert doesn’t necessarily have to be THAT good, but as a cagey veteran he’s expected to contribute to game-planning and as someone Mahomes can bounce ideas off of. If not, KC and Brett Veach will find someone else.