Blaine

Gabbert

Gabbert functioned mostly as a handoff machine in a meaningless game before KC heads into the postseason. Gabbert mostly checked down to Mecole Hardman and the team’s running backs, while occasionally showing off his wheels. Patrick Mahomes will be under center next week.

It appears to be Blaine Gabbert Time for the Chiefs, who will rest their starters ahead of the postseason. Mahomes finishes the season with 27 touchdowns, the lowest TD total for a full season in his NFL career. He also posted the lowest adjusted yards per attempt of his career. Gabbert could be interesting for DFS players against a miserable LA defense.

Gabbert will battle Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun for a spot on the Chiefs 53-man roster this offseason. Contract details, when available, will probably help determine how much of a favorite he should be considered for the job. Gabbert visited with the Raiders in March but had otherwise not had any public interest. Hard to find a better job than working for Andy Reid as a backup, so good work by his agent.

With Jarret Stidham off to Denver, the only quarterback on the roster behind Jimmy Garoppolo for the Raiders is 2022 UDFA signing Chase Garbers. Gabbert has thrown 35 passes over the last three years as Tom Brady’s backup in Tampa, somehow throwing three touchdowns in the process. He has not started more than five games since 2015.

“I’m comfortable with Blaine. He knows this offense very well. Knows where to go with the football because he’s been in it. You know, that gives him the edge over Trask.” Gabbert has spent the past two seasons as the Bucs’ backup and hasn’t faced much competition from Trask, who had a 53% completion rate and two interceptions in three preseason games last year. Trask will likely continue to spend 2022 developing as the No. 3 quarterback.

Gabbert, 32, will again be back as Tom Brady’s caddie. Sophomore Kyle Trask will try to give Gabbert a run for No. 2 duties this summer, but the Bucs obviously prefer Gabbert’s experience as the backup should something happen to Brady.

Arians said Monday morning that Brady, 44, could take all the time he needs to make a decision about playing in 2022. It’s hard to see Brady stepping away from the game after leading the NFL in yardage, passing touchdowns, and completions while posting the fourth lowest interception total (12) of his career. ESPN’s Jenna Laine reports Arians said he “feels comfortable with the other guys he has in the QB room,” adding that “you never know what’s behind door No. 2.” There’s exceedingly little chance the Bucs will head into 2022 with Blaine Gabbert and Kyle Trask as their only quarterback option if Brady retires.

Gabbert will be back to hold the clipboard for Tom Brady while third-round rookie Kyle Trask learns from both veterans.

Gabbert missed most of 2019 with a dislocated shoulder, but he will apparently serve as soon-to-be 43-year-old Tom Brady’s backup. Gabbert has never shown anything to suggest he has what it takes to be a viable No. 2, but coaches seemingly love what he brings to clipboard duties. That’s not nothing. The Bucs’ season will be over if Brady gets hurt, however.

Gabbert is technically a candidate for return, but it will be unlikely. Ryan Griffin will continue to serve as Jameis Winston’s backup.