Gardner Minshew is Kansas City’s dependable backup as camp unfolds, bringing accuracy, poise, and growing mobility to an explosive offense behind Patrick Mahomes. His veteran start experience across multiple NFL stops gives KC a floor-raising option if Mahomes misses time, while the preseason data hints at an athlete who can improvise and extend plays when called upon.

Minshew’s path—Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and now KC—highlights a quarterback who can learn quickly, read defenses, and manage pressure in varied systems. In practice he has shown instant communication with teammates, smart decision-making, and a willingness to push the tempo when opportunities arise.

In the latest preseason matchup versus Arizona, he went 6-for-9 for 54 yards, rushed three times for 4 yards, and even found the end zone on the ground. That added rushing element, paired with accuracy and touch, gives the Chiefs a credible chance to sustain productive drives if called upon. For fantasy folks, Minshew isn't a lock, but his mobility and starter-level experience create a plausible late-season streamer path should Mahomes miss time.

Kansas City’s Gardner Minshew has embraced the Chiefs’ offensive approach, praising the teaching style of Nagy, Girardi, and Reid as the room grows with on-the-fly adjustments that help players attack looks and execute. The vibe: backup quarterback work that still pushes for playmaking and competition, with Minshew delivering a steady, preparation-first mindset.

In his Chiefs debut, Minshew surfaced in relief of Patrick Mahomes and ran for a touchdown, signaling he’s ready to contribute when asked. His philosophy remains constant: improve every rep, avoid repeat mistakes, and push coaches’ expectations. Last season with Las Vegas, he played 10 games (9 starts) with a 66.3% completion rate, 2,013 yards, nine TDs, and 10 INTs, underscoring a veteran's value in a high‑tempo offense.

Fantasy takeaway: while KC’s QB1 limits weekly upside for Minshew in standard formats, his rushing potential and the high-impact system create opportunistic plays in deeper leagues or as a bye-week streamer in certain matchups. The mix of coaching clarity and system fit makes him a dependable depth option in fantasy rosters seeking late-season insurance.

Patrick Mahomes logged a brief, ultra-efficient appearance in KC’s preseason opener, delivering a yard on one completion and a touchdown, then exiting to preserve health for the regular season. The Chiefs rolled out a cautious plan, underscoring Reid’s priority on health and continuity atop a potential fourth consecutive Super Bowl run. Gardner Minshew, Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun split backup reps with uneven results, highlighting a familiar QB2 carousel in Kansas City as they prepare for the Aug. 15 tilt with Seattle. Arizona’s defense forced multiple takeaways, heightening intrigue around depth-chart players behind the Chiefs’ stars.

Mahomes’ remarks about fearing contact reinforced the plan to keep him fresh, while the backup group produced a mixed bag of efficiency and mistakes, suggesting that depth at WR and the coaching staff’s comfort with a rotating group behind Mahomes will drive early-season decisions. The next test in Seattle will offer more clarity on which role players might carve steady fantasy value behind the Chiefs’ top-tier quarterback and targets. The Cardinals’ disruptive show adds a note of caution for KC’s surrounding cast, but the overall takeaway is a measured, health-first approach as KC eyes another deep playoff push.

Kansas City opened its 2025 preseason slate with a sharp performance from its core units, even in a loss to Arizona. Patrick Mahomes connected for a red-zone score in the opening sequence, setting a confident tone for the first-team offense in Week 1. Gardner Minshew showed value as a versatile veteran backup, contributing a rushing score and efficient, though limited, passing. The special teams unit produced an early spark when a return fumble was recovered in the red zone, paving the way for a Mahomes-to- Brownlee TD. On defense, Chris Roland-Wallace supplied a fumble recovery and an interception, signaling flexibility in the secondary, while Jaden Hicks grabbed an INT and Janarius Robinson logged the lone sack. Matt Araiza seized the punting duties, delivering volume and placement that should help field position. Bailey Zappe’s night was rough, highlighting the competition for the backup role behind Mahomes.