Report: Chiefs adding Wentz as Mahomes’ backup

The Kansas City Chiefs are signing quarterback Carson Wentz to a one-year deal, reports Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.

Wentz, 31, is expected to replace Blaine Gabbert as Patrick Mahomes’ backup as Kansas City tries to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowl titles.

The Chiefs will be Wentz’s fifth different team in as many years. The former No. 2 pick played his first five NFL seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-20) before posting short stints with the Indianapolis Colts (2021), Washington Commanders (2022), and Los Angeles Rams (2023).

Once considered a top franchise quarterback in the NFL, Wentz joined the Rams midway through the 2023 campaign and started just one game when L.A. rested Matthew Stafford in Week 18.

Wentz was an MVP contender in 2017 before suffering a torn ACL in the season’s final stretch. He was replaced by Nick Foles, who helped the Eagles win their first-ever Super Bowl title that season. Wentz has lacked consistency since returning from injury and posted an 89.6 passer rating in 66 appearances from 2018-23.

Wentz will be Mahomes’ third different backup since the 2022 season. The three-time Super Bowl MVP hasn’t missed a start due to injury since the 2019 campaign but has battled multiple postseason injuries in his career.

He most recently sustained a high ankle sprain in January 2023 in a divisional-round matchup versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chad Henne entered the game for K.C. in the second quarter and quarterbacked a 12-play, 98-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce.

Not only did Mahomes return to that contest to start the third quarter, but he also managed to play through his ankle injury in the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl LVII triumph over the Eagles.