Chiefs Cut Two Quarterbacks, Mahomes Left With Thin Backup

As the Kansas City Chiefs approach the NFL's 53-man roster deadline, head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach face tough decisions, particularly in trimming the quarterback room and wide receiver depth. Patrick Mahomes is the undisputed starter, with Gardner Minshew expected to be the only backup retained on the final roster, while Chris Oladokun and Bailey Zappe are likely to be cut to prioritize roster flexibility. Reid has urged players on the roster bubble to "make our job hard" by demonstrating strong effort and versatility, especially with the increased importance of practice squads. The Chiefs also recently traded wide receiver Skyy Moore, easing some pressure on the depth chart at that position. Despite being favorites to return to the Super Bowl, analysts like Colin Cowherd predict challenges ahead for the Chiefs, including a potential end to their AFC West dominance, as divisional rivals strengthen their squads. Reid acknowledges the difficulty of cutting nearly half the team and appreciates the players' hard work but stresses the harsh reality that not everyone can make the team.