Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Getty
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs are operating under the belief they will get Patrick Mahomes back early in the 2026 season, which opens up a wide range of options for the team to fill its vacant backup quarterback position.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated told the “Rich Eisen Show” on Tuesday that Mahomes starting Week 1 in early September is an outcome the franchise views as viable, as the QB battles back from an ACL/LCL tear suffered in Week 15.
“I think they certainly are very, very hopeful. I hesitate to use [the term] ‘expecting,’ I don’t wanna put a timeline on a player without getting his OK,” Breer said. “But I think they’re very, very hopeful that he’ll be good to go and close to being himself by Week 1. So that’s good news.”
If Mahomes was likely to miss the first month of the season, the Chiefs would probably need to hunt specifically for a player with a recent track record of success as a starter to ensure competitiveness until the two-time NFL MVP could return.
But if Mahomes is potentially ready to start the year, a trade for someone like Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts is a far more feasible and likely scenario.
Anthony Richardson Acquisition Should Be Reasonably Priced if Chiefs Decide to Pursue QB
Anthony Richardson, Colts
GettyQuarterback Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts.
Richardson is entering the fourth year of his $34 million rookie deal, which will be the last of that contract assuming whatever team holds his rights on May 1 chooses to waive its fifth-year option.
A fifth-year team option comes with every first-round rookie contract, and Indy selected Richardson with the No. 4 pick in 2023. However, the 2027 price tag for him is nearly $22.5 million, and he hasn’t played well enough — or enough period — to justify any franchise footing that bill.
But Richardson, a dual-threat talent with unteachable athletic skill, will only cost around $5.4 million in 2026 via his base salary and bonuses combined. That, plus a Day 3 draft pick in trade, is what Kansas City will have to pay if it decides to pursue Richardson.
Anthony Richardson Could Reset Career After 1 Year With Chiefs
Malik Willis Green Bay Packers Miami Dolphins
GettyQuarterback Malik Willis, formerly of the Green Bay Packers.
Mahomes missed only five games due to injury over his eight-year career before sitting out the final three contests last season due to the knee injury. Thus, it is unlikely Richardson would see much of the field should Mahomes return by Week 1 and avoid further health issues in 2026.
But a year learning under Mahomes and Andy Reid is an opportunity that could also prove a major pivot point in Richardson’s career.
Malik Willis just got $67.5 million and a starting job from the Miami Dolphins after two years playing behind Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers. And while it was his play on the field that earned Willis the deal, it was his time learning behind Love and under head coach Matt LaFleur that provided the QB the requisite development and confidence to succeed.
So while Richardson, if he should land in Kansas City, may not get the reps Willis did in Green Bay, he would get the NFL education he clearly needs to reach his ceiling as a player.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs would get an almost unmatched athletic talent to whom they could turn early in the year if Mahomes needs a week or two to ramp up, or as an option down the line if Mahomes runs into any complications.