Chiefs, Eagles both have solid backup plans
QBS Henne, Minshew stay ready if needed
PHOENIX — If all goes according to plan Sunday, the only time football fans will see Kansas City’s Chad Henne or Philadelphia’s Gardner Minshew during the Super Bowl will be on the sideline, holding a clipboard, talking on a headset or offering encouragement to teammates.
But this is the NFL. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan.
That’s why the backup quarterbacks for the Chiefs and Eagles could be some of the most important players on their teams’ rosters heading into Sunday’s showdown at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
“You put your ego aside,” Henne said. “Every time you walk into the room, even though you want to be the starter, you’ve got to understand your role. There’s only 32 starting quarterbacks in the league, and they’re pretty darn good.
“If you can be the next guy in line, that’s pretty good, too.”
In a lot of ways, it’s been the year of the backup. Sixty-eight QBS started at least one game during the regular season, an average of more than two per team and a record for a non-strike year. Thirteen teams needed three quarterbacks.
Then there were the Arizona Cardinals, who cycled through four QBS in four weeks.
Henne, 37, has been in the NFL since 2008 and was a starter at various points earlier in his career with the Dolphins and Jaguars. He’s been the Chiefs’ backup for the past five seasons.
Henne has proven his worth in this year’s postseason. Kansas City starter Patrick Mahomes left the team’s AFC divisional round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with an ankle injury in the second quarter, and Henne entered, completing 5 of 7 passes during a 98yard touchdown drive.
Mahomes returned after halftime, but those seven points proved crucial. The Chiefs edged the Jags 27-20.
Henne joked that he wished Mahomes would give him more opportunities to shine, but even if he never touches the field in a meaningful fashion Sunday, he’ll be ready.
“You just go about it like a regular week,” Henne said. “You prepare like you’re the starter. If you do that, you set yourself up for success on Sunday.”
Minshew is in his fourth season in the NFL out of Washington State. The 26-year-old first gained fame for his signature mustache while leading the Jaguars to some surprising wins in 2019.
He’s been the Eagles’ backup for the past two seasons.