The Kansas City Chiefs are more than set at quarterback with the services of reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes firmly committed to the team long-term. As good as Mahomes has been, he’s shown to be susceptible to injury at times, increasing the importance of having a solid backup ready to keep the team afloat.
Blaine Gabbert is set to be Mahomes’ new backup quarterback following the retirement of Chad Henne after Super Bowl LVII. Gabbert is a veteran with over a decade of experience in the NFL as both a starter and backup spending the last two seasons behind Tom Brady.
While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Gabbert opened up about his decision to join the Chiefs as a free agent.
“It was pretty easy,” said Gabbert. “Just talked to Chad Henne for a while and then had a chance to talk with Coach Reid, pick their brains and see what they wanted in a backup to see how Chad enjoyed it. Talking to Daniel Kilgore, who played here, and Blake Bell, it was a very easy decision. Coach Reid has always been a coach that I’ve watched from afar, how he handles himself and how he’s handled the organizations that he’s represented. It’s nothing but first class, and it’s been that way since I’ve been here.”
Henne shined in critical moments during his tenure as Mahomes’ backup, including a relief appearance in the divisional round victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. Gabbert detailed his conversation with the retired quarterback as he attempts to pick up where he left off in 2023.
“He loved it. He spoke extremely highly of the entire coaching staff, not only Coach Reid but Nagy, Girardi, and all the guys that we work with on a daily basis,” said Gabbert. “He was here for five years, and he’s somebody that I trust his opinion. Last year, I think, was his 15th year, so he’s been around the block quite a bit. He spoke very highly of the organization, and really, it was an easy sell at that point.”
Gabbert will be suiting up for his sixth different team since being drafted tenth overall in 2011. He was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl LV winning team and has plenty of experience under his belt as well.
