The Kansas City Chiefs aren't exactly in a position they're used to right now. Usually, by mid-January, Andy Reid is game-planning for a deep playoff run. Instead, the team is looking at a 2026 offseason filled with question marks, primarily because of that devastating ACL tear Patrick Mahomes suffered late in the 2025 season. It’s a weird vibe in KC. To start things off, the front office is already moving pieces around, and one of the first orders of business was keeping a familiar face in the building.
Basically, the Chiefs sign Chris Oladokun to a reserve/future contract for the 2026 season.
If you aren’t a die-hard member of Chiefs Kingdom who watches every preseason snap, you might be asking, "Wait, who?" But for those following the chaotic final weeks of the 2025 season, Oladokun became a name of necessity. He wasn't supposed to be "the guy," even in a backup capacity. Gardner Minshew was signed to be the safety net, but after Minshew went down with his own ACL injury against the Titans, the Chiefs were forced to break the glass.
The Reality of the Oladokun Experiment
Honestly, the 2025 season finale against the Raiders was a bit of a reality check. Oladokun, who spent most of his career on the practice squad after being a seventh-round pick by the Steelers in 2022, finally got his shot to start. It wasn't exactly a fairytale. He finished that Week 18 game with just 58 yards on 11 completions before getting benched at halftime.
He’s 28 years old now. You’ve got a guy who has been in the system for three years, knows the playbook like the back of his hand, but hasn't quite shown he can be a starting-caliber bridge quarterback in the NFL. In his brief 2025 appearance, he threw for 235 yards total across three games, with one touchdown and zero interceptions. That sounds "safe," right? Except for the fumbles. He fumbled five times and lost two of them in very limited action.
So, why bring him back?
NFL teams use these futures contracts to "stash" players they want to see in training camp without them hitting the open market. By making sure the Chiefs sign Chris Oladokun now, Brett Veach is ensuring they have a "living playbook" in the room while Mahomes rehabs.
Is He a Long-Term Answer or Just a Camp Arm?
There is a massive debate brewing in Kansas City about the backup QB spot. With Mahomes potentially missing the start of the 2026 season, "good enough" isn't going to cut it. Oladokun is a South Dakota State product who led the Jackrabbits to the FCS semifinals back in the day. He’s got some mobility—he clocked a 4.71 in the 40-yard dash—but that hasn't translated into many explosive plays at the professional level.
Kinda feels like the team is at a crossroads. Some fans are clamoring for a bigger move, like pursuing Justin Fields if he becomes available, or even looking at someone like Bailey Zappe (though he just signed with the Jets).
The thing is, Oladokun offers something those guys don't: continuity. He’s already earned two Super Bowl rings as a practice squad member. He knows how Mahomes prepares. He knows what Andy Reid expects. Sometimes, that's worth more to a coaching staff than raw talent that doesn't know the terminology.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
- Experience: 4 seasons (mostly practice squad)
- 2025 Stats: 35/55 (63.6%), 235 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
- The Problem: 4.3 yards per attempt. That is... not great. For comparison, the league average usually hovers around 7.0.
- The Upside: He hasn't thrown an NFL interception yet. He’s careful, maybe even too careful.
What This Means for the 2026 Roster
The move to have the Chiefs sign Chris Oladokun is the first ripple in what will be a very busy pond. The team also brought back guys like receiver Andrew Armstrong and running back ShunDerrick Powell on futures deals. It’s all about building a competitive floor for the summer.
Don't expect Oladokun to be the unchallenged QB2 when September rolls around. The Chiefs are almost certainly going to look for a veteran bridge starter in free agency. They need someone who can win three or four games if Mahomes isn't ready for Week 1. Oladokun is likely battling for the QB3 spot or a return to the practice squad, acting as a scout-team leader who can mimic mobile quarterbacks for the defense.
Actionable Insights for Chiefs Fans
If you're following the roster construction this spring, here is what you actually need to watch for:
- Watch the Free Agency Window: If the Chiefs don't sign a veteran like Ryan Tannehill or similar by mid-March, it shows they might actually trust Oladokun or a rookie more than the public thinks.
- Monitor Mahomes’ Rehab: This is the "north star" for the franchise. If his recovery is ahead of schedule, the pressure to find a high-end backup drops significantly.
- Keep an Eye on the Draft: The Chiefs have been scout-heavy on mid-round quarterbacks lately. Oladokun’s spot is only secure until a younger, cheaper option with more "upside" shows up in the fourth or fifth round.
The Chiefs are playing it safe. In a world where your superstar is on the mend, keeping a guy who knows the culture is a low-risk move. It's not a "blockbuster" signing, but in the NFL, the bottom of the roster often decides how the top of the roster survives a crisis.