Chad

Henne

Patrick Mahomes’ backup the past five seasons, Henne made the announcement on social media following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory over the Eagles. The No. 57 overall pick of the 2008 Draft, Henne served as the Dolphins’ starter for most of 2009-13 but had more interceptions than touchdowns during that timespan. He then settled into a decade of holding clipboards, with the highlight coming in the 2020-21 Divisional Round, where Henne saved the Chiefs’ bacon against the Browns following a Mahomes concussion.

A Jacksonville defender fell awkwardly on Mahomes’ lower leg in the first quarter, and Mahomes -- after hopping on one leg for a few plays -- had his ankle wrapped on the sideline. He was seen having a heated exchange with Kansas City’s training staff before gimping to the locker room. Mahomes, officially listed as questionable to return, seems ready and willing to play through a potentially serious injury. For now, Chad Henne is under center for the Chiefs.

Henne will back up Patrick Mahomes for the fifth straight season. Henne gave Chiefs fans heart palpitations in his last meaningful outing in the 2020 playoffs against the Browns. Still, this move makes sense for both sides, with Henne familiar with Andy Reid’s system and not costing much against the cap. The Chiefs season will ultimately come down to Patrick Mahomes staying healthy, as usual. Entering his age-37 season, it’s possible that the 2022 campaign is Henne’s last.

Mahomes left Sunday’s Divisional Round victory in the second half and did not return after suffering the brain injury. “We’ll follow that and see how he does the next couple of days,” Andy Reid said Monday, a day after he said Mahomes was “doing great” in a generally optimistic statement on his star QB. If Mahomes can’t clear the league’s protocol this week, Chad Henne would start for KC in the AFC title game against Buffalo. Mahomes’ practice participation will be worth watching throughout the week.

Called on for the final 20 minutes of the game after Patrick Mahomes suffered a concussion, Henne saw his life flash before his eyes as he both nearly cost the Chiefs the game before saving it with final-drive heroics. Henne threw one of the worst deep balls of the 21st century with the Chiefs nearing field goal range with 8:10 remaining, setting up a fair catch interception for the Browns. Trailing 22-17, the Browns thankfully for the Chiefs called an inexcusably conservative drive before punting. Henne then nearly converted a 3rd-and-14 with his legs before stunning the Browns with a five-yard conversion on 4th-and-1 from the Chiefs’ own 48-yard line with 1:14 remaining. Henne snapped the ball with five seconds left on the play clock when the Browns thought Kansas City was merely trying to draw them offsides. All-time onions from coach Andy Reid. Despite today’s hero turn, Henne’s insertion under center for the AFC Championship Game against the Bills would likely be a conference-costing development for the Chiefs. All attention now turns to Mahomes’ head.

Making his first start since 2014, you would be forgiven for forgetting Henne was still in the league. Today was a competent showing for the 35-year-old, but the Chiefs need to upgrade behind Patrick Mahomes for 2021. Henne would be a disaster waiting to happen as anything other than a one-game spot starter. He is signed for next season.

Kansas City has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. Mahomes will essentially get two weeks off and sets his eyes on what the team hopes is a second straight Super Bowl title. 35-year-old Henne will be making his first start since 2014. Expect the Chiefs to rest a majority of their other key starters.

The deal includes $2.75 million guaranteed. Henne wins the Chiefs’ backup sweepstakes over Matt Moore. Henne was needed for 2019 starts behind an injured Patrick Mahomes but couldn’t go because of a broken ankle. Four months shy of his 35th birthday, Henne has attempted only five passes since 2014. The Chiefs would be in a world of trouble were Henne to take 2020 snaps.

A return makes a lot of sense as the Chiefs will have to keep their backup quarterback cap hit low with Patrick Mahomes’ deal on the horizon. Henne is barely an average backup option, but if he’s in the game over Mahomes then things have gone seriously wrong and it likely won’t matter who is under center.

Henne is questionable for Sunday’s game. He won’t start if active, and he may not end up more than insurance if Patrick Mahomes can return next week. The Chiefs waived Kyle Shurmur to create a spot for Henne.