With Patrick Mahomes’ availability for the 2026 season still up in the air, the Chiefs bolstered their roster by signing former Saints signal-caller Jake Haener Monday.
Haener, a fourth-round pick by the Saints in the 2023 NFL Draft, saw action in eight games, all in 2024, during his three seasons in New Orleans. In those contests, he recorded 18 completions and 226 passing yards as most of his opportunities came in garbage time.
His signing acts as an insurance policy for the Chiefs, who just missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 after Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL during a loss to the Chargers in December.
Prior to his season-ending injury, Mahomes — alongside head coach Andy Reid and star tight end Travis Kelce — had built a dynasty in Kansas City, leading the Chiefs to five Super Bowl appearances and three titles in a six-year span. Mahomes himself has accrued six Pro Bowl selections and two MVP awards across his nine-year NFL career.
Kansas City’s backup, Gardner Minshew, was at one point feared to have also torn his ACL but will enter free agency without undergoing surgery. With Minshew and Mahomes’ injuries, 2022 seventh round pick Chris Oladokun and Haener are now the only active quarterbacks on the Chiefs’ depth chart.
Mahomes spoke to the media for the first time since his injury on Jan. 15. He had surgery a month prior on and stated in his press conference that he could be ready for Week 1, per the Chiefs’ doctor. He also mentioned that he’ll participate in OTAs when they start in April. He wouldn’t be cleared to practice at that point, but he would instead take time to learn any schematic changes.
However, if the likely future Hall of Famer is unable to return for Kansas City’s season opener, the Chiefs would likely sign a stopgap option before he can play. They could satisfy that by re-signing Minshew or snagging a veteran free agent like Malik Willis or Marcus Mariota.
Haener’s signing adds a wrinkle to that potential plan, as he could also compete for the starting job without Mahomes in the picture.