We talk about field generals… MVPat and quarterbacks
Training camp is officially here! This series of covering several areas of the Kansas City Chiefs going into 2023 is almost finished; my predictions on each unit. I have covered Secondary, Linebackers, Edge and Interior of the Defensive Line, Offensive tackles, interior, tight ends, running backs, and receivers. This will be a series covering the quarterback play in 2023 led by reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have their star QB in Patrick Mahomes as they head into 2023 ready to defend their world championship.
There’s no disputing the importance of the position in 2023. The quarterback is not only the team’s biggest decision-maker, but his ability to make timely plays and efficiently manage the game routinely determines which team lands in the winner’s circle at the end of the season. We all know that Mahomes with Head Coach Andy Reid make the best duo in the NFL but we don’t want to think about what could happen to QB1 in case of missing time, we will preview the other 3 QBs along with Mahomes and their outlook for 2023.
Patrick Mahomes II:
In his first season without Tyreek Hill, all Mahomes did was lead the NFL in passing yards, passing touchdowns, yards per attempt, and yards per game while winning his second MVP. He has five consecutive seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards and he’s thrown at least 37 touchdown passes in four of those seasons. The two-time MVP had 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdowns compared to only 12 interceptions. Mahomes also had a productive year in the run game. The veteran quarterback had 61 rushing attempts for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns. He set a career-high in rushing touchdowns while having the second-most rushing yards of his career. I believe that in 2023, with Matt Nagy back as offensive coordinator, Mahomes would improve his passing efficiency in regards to turning the ball over and timing within his throws just like he did working with Alex Smith. I project that he will go over 5,000 + yards for 40+ TDs and lesser than 10 picks which should earn him another MVP nod.
72/100 🔥
703 yards passing 🔥
7 TDs 🔥
0 INTs 🔥@PatrickMahomes shone the brightest on the biggest stage. ✨ pic.twitter.com/2BcdAaOW2l— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2023
Blaine Gabbert:
Blaine Gabbert spent the entire season as Brady’s primary backup, getting 14 offensive snaps that Brady did not take. Gabbert threw just eight passes, completing six for 29 yards and one touchdown in the regular-season finale. Gabbert, the 33-year-old passer has not started a game since 2018, which makes him an unproven player despite his numerous years in the league. It’s also worth pointing out that Gabbert was the Buccaneers’ first-team quarterback during Brady’s extended absence from training camp last year. The responsibility of a backup quarterback is to be ready to command the offense at a moment’s notice, and while Gabbert doesn’t have a ton of experience in regular-season games over the last several seasons, his time in Tampa Bay was clearly beneficial. Signing with the Chiefs means that Gabbert is now back in his home state for the first time as a professional. Gabbert grew up in Ballwin, MO, which is a suburb of St. Louis, and attended Parkway West High School. This is more motivation for him to secure the backup role left vacant by Chad Henne.
Blaine Gabbert starts the second half and throws a TD to Gronk! #GoBucs
📺: #TBvsDET on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/gD1d3IPg1x pic.twitter.com/VceeCl473v— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2020
Shane Buechele:
The team signed Buechele to the practice squad at the beginning of 2021 because the team was comfortable with two quarterbacks. But that changed on November 16, 2021, when Field Yates of ESPN reported that the Chiefs signed Buechele from their practice squad to their 53-man roster. It came off as a surprising move because of their comfort in having two healthy quarterbacks. However, Yates reported that the Cardinals attempted to sign Buechele to their active roster, because of injuries to Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy at the time. It’s been two seasons and with the signing of Gabbert, it looks like that Buechele will be in the same spot as last season as the 3rd QB on the depth chart but with the drafting of his college teammate, Rashee Rice from SMU, Buechele should have an opportunity to showcase his improves from the course of three seasons. I can see Buechele becoming the No. 2 option behind Mahomes in 2024.
QB Shane Buechele pour WR Rashee Rice. TD Mustangs ! Très belle réaction de SMU.
Le chassé-croisé se poursuit. 🔥Tulane 14, SMU 17 pic.twitter.com/FobpaSJk8a
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) October 16, 2020
Under the Radar: Chris Oladokun
Oladokun spend the 2022 season on Kansas City’s practice squad, but he wasn’t ultimately called up for in-game action. With longtime backup Chad Henne having announced his retirement, many thought that Oladokun could potentially have had an opportunity to compete for an elevated role this offseason. That changed with the signing of Gabbert. We have yet to see Oladokun in action but with a good showing in training camp and preseason, we could see him either back on the practice squad or picked up by a backup QB-needy team.
@NFLPABowl | @GoJacksFB QB Chris Oladukon (6012/207/0878/3238/7628 has opened up some eyes amongst the 300+ #NFL scouts in attendance this week. True leader of men, can make all the throws, tremendous mobility, nice touch and has had a very strong week in #Pasadena 🌹 #StockUp 📈 pic.twitter.com/hKTlH0reME
— Ric Serritella (@RicSerritella) January 27, 2022
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