Kansas City Chiefs: 5 Potential Backup Quarterback Options

Robert Griffin III – Free Agent

This is where fans will think I have gone insane, but the Chiefs aren’t looking for a starter. They have their starter in Alex Smith and he has shown that competition can push him to be a better player. Robert Griffin III is not the quarterback he once was, but without any other offers, he should be patient enough to accept a backup role. Andy Reid could be the one that finally convinces him to stay in the pocket and protect himself. He shouldn’t get too much time on the field any way. But if he does, he can still make the throws to guys like Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

Griffin would not have a real legitimate shot at starting for the Chiefs, but he is still talented enough to push Smith. As a backup, the Chiefs could rely on him to get the job done in the one game that Smith is virtually guaranteed to miss. As long as he is willing to stay in the pocket, he should be able to stay healthy. The Chiefs could be the only shot Griffin has to be on a winner.

Blaine Gabbert – Free Agent

Yet another guaranteed backup, Gabbert has experience as a starter, but not the talent. He did lead San Francisco to a few wins in his time there and showed that he is a capable and athletic quarterback. Unfortunately his consistency is severely lacking and his decision-making is perplexing. He won’t push Alex Smith as much as Griffin would, but he would provide reliability as a backup.

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Gabbert would also come fairly cheap as he has had virtually no interest thus far on the market and would be joining his third team. He opened this past season with five starts that basically cemented his backup status. At the end of the year, his interception total exceeded his touchdown total for the second time in his career. The upside to Gabbert is that he can perform well with better talent around him. Not much will be expected, but a one-year deal would not hurt either side.