Ex-Chiefs backup quarterback Gardner Minshew has a new home in the NFC West
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Gardner Minshew signs one-year deal with Arizona, ruling him out as Chiefs backup.
- Minshew slated to back up Brissett; Cardinals are expected to release Kyler Murray.
- Chiefs face a backup gap for Mahomes’ 2026 rehab; a few veteran options remain.
The Kansas City Chiefs will have a new backup quarterback in 2026.
Last year’s backup to Patrick Mahomes, eight-year veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew, has reached an agreement on a one-year, $5.75 million contract worth up to $8 million with the Arizona Cardinals. NFL Network provided the contract details.
The 29-year-old is expected to serve as Arizona’s backup behind Jacoby Brissett, with the club expected to release starter Kyler Murray in the coming days.
Minshew entered the league as a sixth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2019 NFL Draft. After two seasons in Jacksonville, the journeyman had stops with the Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22), Indianapolis Colts (2023) and Las Vegas Raiders (2024) before his lone season in Kansas City (2025).
Minshew was expected to start the final three games for the Chiefs after Mahomes tore his ACL in the team’s Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. But in Week 16, Minshew played just 14 snaps before suffering a left knee injury that ended his season.
Minshew signing with the Cardinals rules him out as the Chiefs’ backup in 2026, a role with elevated importance as Mahomes rehabs from mid-December knee surgery.
Though Mahomes is driven to be ready by Week 1, the backup-to-be will have added responsibility running the offense during the offseason program.
At the time of this writing, experienced fits still available include Russell Wilson, Tyrod Taylor and Zach Wilson. Currently, Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener (reserve/futures) are the only other quarterbacks on the roster.
