Chiefs predicted to sign declining former $10 million Giants QB as Patrick Mahomes replacement

The end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025-26 season couldn't have gone any worse. 

In addition to missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, the organization’s franchise quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, suffered an untimely ACL injury in December that could put his status for the start of the 2026-27 campaign in jeopardy. 

Although the Texas Tech product is progressing well, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman predicts the Chiefs will sign a declining former New York Giants quarterback as a potential replacement for Mahomes if he’s unavailable to start next season.

“(Russell) Wilson, 37, has fallen hard over the last three years, going from a $40 million starter in Denver to barely playing on a bad (New York) Giants team. He went 0-3 as a New York starter, and after making $10 million this past season, he might draw half that.”

“His best scenario is likely a bridge starter who goes to a team with a young starter, so they don't have to rush him. Go back to 2024, he had 16 touchdowns against five interceptions while going 6-5 for the (Pittsburgh) Steelers, and that's the hope for a team that brings him in as a stopgap.”

There’s no doubt that Wilson has a Hall of Fame resume in his 30s. The Wisconsin product has thrown for 4,000+ yards four times, earned 10 Pro-Bowl nods, received the NFL Rookie of the Year in 2012, and guided the Seattle Seahawks to a 2014 Super Bowl victory over the Denver Broncos.

That said, Wilson’s best days are behind him, as he no longer possesses the same mobility, deep ball, and dissecting ability that helped him succeed earlier in his career. Wilson only appeared in six games with New York last season, completing 69 passes for 831 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. 

Could Wilson be serviceable with the Chiefs for a few games before Mahomes returns to the field? Well, as Auman noted, the 5-foot-11 signal caller was solid with the Steelers just two seasons ago, making it logical for Kansas City to toss the idea of adding him to the fold this offseason. 

At the end of the day, the Chiefs could do much worse than Wilson on the free agent quarterback market.

More NFL: Cowboys trade rumor would land Dallas 6-foot-5 national champion linebacker