Chiefs Rumors: Shane Buechele has one last chance to prove he's QB2
Whenever Kansas City Chiefs training camp began with Blaine Gabbert seemingly stepping into the role left vacant by now-retired Chad Henne, not many fans were expecting a backup quarterback battle. But Shane Buechele has ensured that we're getting one -- and it's going down to the wire.
Buechele has thrown the most pass attempts in the Chiefs first two preseason games at 28, and has been both efficient and productive when he's been on the field. All told, the former Texas and SMU standout has gone 21-of-28 for 260 yards (9.3 yards per attempt) with two touchdowns and one interception. He's also added two rushes for 14 yards.
Gabbert, for his part, has also been quite good, going 11-of-16 for 179 yards (11.2 yards per attempt) with three scores and no interceptions.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid noted the improvements from Buechele in training camp and in the preseason when speaking to the media recently, though, and it seems like the preseason finale on Saturday against the Browns could be a deciding factor between the third-year QB and Gabbert.
"Well he looks more comfortable, and I think in a crazy way, Blaine (Gabbert) has been good for him and bringing out the best in him, you know, the competition," Reid said, via Chiefs Wire. "Blaine is competing like crazy too, so it's been a good challenge there for him but he's doing a nice job, more time coming up here, so we'll see how both of them do."
It would stand to reason that, if Buechele and Gabbert are on a level playing field, that the younger option might be favorable for the Chiefs to continue his development. But Reid values his quarterback depth perhaps more than any coach in the NFL. As such, Buechele will undoubtedly have to earn that backup quarterback job in his final preseason outing if he's going to be in that role.
Chiefs Rumors: Trade proposal with Vikings would send CEH to Minnesota
One of the sneakiest decisions in terms of difficulty for Brett Veach and the Chiefs front office at cutdown day is what to do with the running back depth chart.
Isiah Pacheco, the second-year standout who emerged as a seventh-round rookie a season ago, appears to be the starter. Jerick McKinnon, who the team re-signed in free agency this offseason, is a change-of-pace option who is likely a lock for the 53-man roster. Beyond that, however, it gets tricky.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been a bust since he was a first-round pick in the 2020 draft, Deneric Prince has been a training camp darling, La'Mical Perine has shown out in preseason games, and Jerrion Ealy is a young back with plenty of talent. That's a lot of different factors vying for a spot at the end of the depth chart -- but the Chiefs might be able to make their decision at least marginally easier.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recently proposed one trade that every NFL team should make. For the Chiefs, it was sending Edwards-Helaire to the Minnesota Vikings.
CEH has been a massive disappointment in Kansas City, but the fact of the matter is that he still has the talent that made him a first-round pick. For the Vikings, they've moved on from Dalvin Cook this offseason and, while Alexander Mattison appears to be the clear starter, the depth behind him is anything but proven. A move for Edwards-Helaire could solve that in a big way.
Not only would the Chiefs free up just over $2 million with this trade, but they could recoup some late-round draft capital for the former first-rounder as well while making their lives easier on cut day. It's not a foregone conclusion, but it's one that would make sense for both Kansas City and Minnesota.
Chiefs Rumors: Bears already sniffing out Chris Jones trade
We're nearing critical mass when it comes to the Chris Jones situation with the Chiefs.
Jones is still holding out and, according to a recent report, remains steadfast in wanting a contract that will pay him an average annual value of $30 million. That could open up the doors to a trade if Brett Veach and the Kansas City brass don't want to hamstring themselves with that type of money on the books, which is what happened last offseason with Tyreek Hill -- though that trade was done, in part, to esnure they could keep Jones.
Not shockingly, though, if the Jones were to be open to a Chris Jones trade, there would be no shortage of suitors. And one is already knocking on the door checking to see if a deal could start to be worked out: the Chicago Bears.
Payne Insider of the Bet the Board podcast recently reported that the Bears have already inquired about a Chris Jones trade. He did note that this did not mean a trade was going to happen, but did remark that the Bears are all-in on trying to take advantage of Justin Fields' rookie contract.
The Bears would make a ton of sense as a trade partner for the Chiefs with Jones if that deal were to work. They are flush with draft capital after trading down from the No. 1 pick in April's draft, have a glaring need on the defensive front, have a young quarterback they are building around on a rookie deal, and have the financial flexibility to take on a massive contract too.
Again, this doesn't mean that Chris Jones is going to be traded. However, the tea leaves aren't exactly painting an optimistic picture right now for the Chiefs with the defensive tackle and, if that becomes their only logical course of action, the Bears would be as good of a trade partner as Kansas City could find.
