Tag: Chad Henne

Chiefs QB Carson Wentz reflects on his Week 18 performance: ‘I didn’t play my best’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz reflects on his Week 18 performance: ‘I didn’t play my best’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs were blowout victims to the Denver Broncos during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The game didn’t matter in the standings, but it held high significance for the players who saw action, including Week 18 starter Carson Wentz.

“We didn’t play great as his team. I didn’t play my best, either. But yeah, I mean, move on from this one pretty quick.” said Wentz during Sunday’s postgame press conference. “It’s fun to get out there, fun to give myself a lot of guys a chance to just go out there and compete. But obviously, they were the better team today.”

Wentz finished the day 10 of 17 for 98 yards during his first start of the year, but he handled multiple sacks without turning the ball over. He was lifted in the fourth quarter for the long-time practice squad and scout team quarterback Chris Oladokun, who made his official NFL regular-season debut.

“I’ll, for sure, be ready (for the postseason). Whatever capacity is needed. I’ll for sure be ready.” said Wentz. “That’s the blessing of this week for for myself, for a lot of guys. The result was not good, but at the end of the day, we got guys out there, some reps that could come in valuable down the stretch here, if needed. ”

As the Chiefs’ playoff history shows, Wentz could see action, with Patrick Mahomes suffering injuries and briefly leaving games. Former backup quarterback Chad Henne often earned his clutch reputation for being efficient whenever needed in the playoffs.

What to expect from Carson Wentz’s first start with Chiefs

What should #Chiefs fans expect to see from QB Carson Wentz in Kansas City’s Week 18 matchup against the Denver #Broncos?

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to give starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes some much-needed time off in Week 18 as the team prepares for the AFC playoffs later this month.

Veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz is set to see his first meaningful action under center with the Chiefs when Kansas City squares off against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, January 5, though it remains to be seen if the Super Bowl LII champion will be a natural fit in Andy Reid’s high-octane offense.

Historically, Reid’s backups have played relatively well when called into action late in the season during the Mahomes era.

In 2019, veteran second-stringer Matt Moore successfully shepherded the Chiefs to a 1-1 record in two starts while Mahomes was sidelined due to injury.

Then, in 2022, journeyman Chad Henne helped Kansas City win a Divisional Round playoff matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 98-yard drive that was a legendary moment in the Chiefs’ run to Super Bowl LVII.

Though the outcome of Kansas City’s Week 18 matchup against the Broncos won’t matter given that the Chiefs have already locked up the No. 1 seed for the AFC playoffs, Wentz will get a chance to prove that he still has what it takes to succeed against a better-than-average NFL opponent.

Fans should expect Wentz to protect the football, utilize his running backs in the passing game, and look to distribute targets to some of Kansas City’s lesser-known playmakers as the Chiefs endeavor to finish the regular season with a 16-1 record.

8-time Grammy nominee Natalie Grant to perform national anthem for Chiefs’ matchup vs. Lions

Eight-time Grammy nominee Natalie Grant will perform the national anthem for the #Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup against the #Lions on Thursday night.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced that singer-songwriter Natalie Grant will perform the national anthem at their Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday.

Grant is an eight-time Grammy nominee and is best known for her hit songs “Held”, “Perfect People”, and “King of the World”, which all charted on the Billboard Top 100 list for Christian and Gospel music.

A native of Seattle, Washington, Grant is among the most accomplished artists in her genre, and fans will certainly be interested in hearing her rendition of the national anthem before kickoff.

The Chiefs also noted that former backup quarterback Chad Henne would be the team’s drum leader for the game and that a B-2 bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base would do a flyover for the occasion.

Anticipation will continue to mount for the game as kickoff approaches, and fans are sure to be excited to see how Grant, Henne, and the $2 billion plane all work in concert to build the perfect atmosphere for the Chiefs’ Week 1 tilt against the Lions.

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Chiefs QB Blaine Gabbert expounds on Andy Reid’s greatness

#Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert explained his affinity for Andy Reid after workouts concluded on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time signing veteran quarterback Blaine Gabbert this offseason. The Missouri native is considered a top-tier backup at the game’s most important position, which was a need for the Chiefs after Chad Henne announced his retirement after Super Bowl LVII.

Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes has gone down with injuries in the past, and even though he’d prefer to play through pain, there was a clear need for a solid backup entering the 2023 season. Gabbert is a former 2011 first-round pick and was a starter for several teams early in his career. He brings experience and a hunger to prove himself to the franchise.

Gabbert gave an update on his progress through training camp and appreciation for head coach Andy Reid while speaking with reporters on Thursday.

“First and foremost, he’s a great person,” the veteran signal-caller said of Reid. “The biggest thing he lets you kind of be you. And as you’ve seen over the course of the years, he doctors a play call to a specific guy, Alex [Smith] to Patrick [Mahomes], Matt Moore, Chad [Henne], kind of bits and pieces here the last few years. So as a play caller, coach Reid does a great job. The coaching staff does a great job having kind of a plan for each and every guy. But yeah, I mean, his track record speaks for itself. He’s a great coach.”

Gabbert has passed for over 9,000 yards and connected on 51 touchdowns in his career. He’s already built a friendship with Chiefs receiver Justin Watson dating back to their tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while he served as Tom Brady’s backup.

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Here’s how Chad Henne sold Blaine Gabbert on the Chiefs

Blaine Gabbert spoke about how Chad Henne sold him on the #Chiefs as his free agent destination. | from @EdEastonJr

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The Kansas City Chiefs are more than set at quarterback with the services of reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes firmly committed to the team long-term. As good as Mahomes has been, he’s shown to be susceptible to injury at times, increasing the importance of having a solid backup ready to keep the team afloat.

Blaine Gabbert is set to be Mahomes’ new backup quarterback following the retirement of Chad Henne after Super Bowl LVII. Gabbert is a veteran with over a decade of experience in the NFL as both a starter and backup spending the last two seasons behind Tom Brady.

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Gabbert opened up about his decision to join the Chiefs as a free agent.

“It was pretty easy,” said Gabbert. “Just talked to Chad Henne for a while and then had a chance to talk with Coach Reid, pick their brains and see what they wanted in a backup to see how Chad enjoyed it. Talking to Daniel Kilgore, who played here, and Blake Bell, it was a very easy decision. Coach Reid has always been a coach that I’ve watched from afar, how he handles himself and how he’s handled the organizations that he’s represented. It’s nothing but first class, and it’s been that way since I’ve been here.”

Henne shined in critical moments during his tenure as Mahomes’ backup, including a relief appearance in the divisional round victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. Gabbert detailed his conversation with the retired quarterback as he attempts to pick up where he left off in 2023.

“He loved it. He spoke extremely highly of the entire coaching staff, not only Coach Reid but Nagy, Girardi, and all the guys that we work with on a daily basis,” said Gabbert. “He was here for five years, and he’s somebody that I trust his opinion. Last year, I think, was his 15th year, so he’s been around the block quite a bit. He spoke very highly of the organization, and really, it was an easy sell at that point.”

Gabbert will be suiting up for his sixth different team since being drafted tenth overall in 2011. He was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl LV winning team and has plenty of experience under his belt as well.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reunites with Chad Henne for new Subway commercial

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes appears to have teamed up with Chad Henne once again, but this time for a Subway commercial. | from @EdEastonJr

The bond among players in the NFL can transcend past being teammates and playing days. The Kansas City Chiefs have had the luxury of a stable tandem at quarterback with starter Patrick Mahomes and backup Chad Henne since 2018.

Henne announced his retirement from the NFL after Super Bowl LVII and played an essential role in the relief of Mahomes. After signing with Kansas City back in 2018, he’s thrived in the veteran quarterback support role and clutch moments during the postseason.

While the two quarterbacks won’t share the gridiron again on Sundays, Henne and Mahomes recently reunited for a project off the field. In a post to his Instagram account, Henne shared some photos of himself with Mahomes on the set of an upcoming Subway commercial which is notably endorsed by the two-time league MVP.

“Now that we are in different area codes,” said Henne via his Instagram, “we still find a way to be on the same team!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqp3o49uGou/?hl=en

Henne’s touchdown pass to Travis Kelce in the divisional round victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars was his lone postseason touchdown for his career. He provided a similar boost in the 2020 divisional round victory over the Cleveland Browns, keeping the Chiefs afloat following a Mahomes’ injury.

The 37-year-old was a collegiate star at the University of Michigan and a former starter for the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars since being drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The Chiefs will be in the market for a new trusted backup next season, but it’s nice to see the duo team up one more time, even if it’s just for a commercial.

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Commanders checked in with recently retired QB Chad Henne

The recently retired QB will stay retired — for now.

There’s no better way to go out than the way former Kansas City quarterback Chad Henne did. The longtime NFL quarterback announced his retirement at the end of the 2022 season. Fortunately for Henne, he played for the Chiefs and went out on top, winning a Super Bowl.

After beginning his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, Henne was a starting quarterback. Things didn’t work out after four years with the Dolphins, and Hene moved to Jacksonville and spent five seasons with the Jaguars, mainly as a backup.

In 2018, Henne joined Kansas City, which had just traded Alex Smith to Washington to clear the path for a young quarterback named Patrick Mahomes. So for the past five seasons, Henne had one of the best jobs in the world.

During his entire time with the Chiefs, Henne’s offensive coordinator was Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy is now the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, who need a veteran backup for Sam Howell.

So, naturally, Bieniemy and the Commanders reached out to Henne to see if he would reconsider his retirement plans, at least for one more year. Henne said thanks but no thanks, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

You can’t blame Bieniemy for trying. Henne could be viewed as a good mentor to Howell, a role he played for Mahomes and Blake Bortles over the last decade of his NFL career.

With Taylor Heinicke, Andy Dalton and Henne off the board, where will the Commanders turn next?

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NFL team attempted to lure Chiefs’ Chad Henne from retirement

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that one NFL team attempted to lure #Chiefs’ former backup QB Chad Henne from retirement.

Update: We now know which team spoke with Henne.

Former Kansas City Chiefs QB Chad Henne hasn’t even been retired for a month and he already has an unnamed NFL team attempting to lure him from retirement.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, with all of the recent movement on the backup quarterback market, a team called to check in on Chad Henne. They made him an offer to return to the NFL, but it clearly wasn’t an offer that Henne couldn’t refuse as he declined the offer and opted to remain retired for now according to Schefter.

A former second-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft, Henne has 54 career starts and 78 game appearances under his belt. The 37-year-old stepped in twice in the playoffs for Kansas City in place of Patrick Mahomes over the years and helped the team to victory in each of those games.

Mike White, Case Keenum, CJ Beathard, Jarrett Stidham, Easton Stick, Nick Mullens, Taylor Heinecke, Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston and Sam Darnold have all come off of the market in the first two days of legal tampering. If you’re in the market for a veteran backup, options are suddenly running thin. It certainly makes sense that a team would go after Henne after his success backing up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, but this tells us that he’s not coming out of retirement for any old opportunity.

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Chiefs Check-in: Mecole Hardman eyes Bears ahead of free agency

What’s happening in #ChiefsKingdom? Check out the #Chiefs news of the day for March 10, 2023.

Chiefs Check-in is our new online newsletter at Chiefs Wire, running Monday-Friday mornings. Subscribe to get more Chiefs news delivered to your inbox every day.

Free agency is just days away, and speculation abounds regarding what the Kansas City Chiefs might do to improve their already stellar roster in the coming months. With enough salary cap space to make things interesting and draft capital to make key moves well into April, it seems that the defending Super Bowl champions are destined to make this offseason particularly special.

Here is a look at the latest Chiefs news that should have the entire kingdom abuzz on March 10th:

Should the Broncos sign QB Marcus Mariota?

Marcus Mariota is a free agent. Should the Broncos sign him as a backup for Russell Wilson?

Following the conclusion of the NFL combine in Indianapolis, the next big event for the Denver Broncos to look forward to is the start of NFL free agency next week.

One of the biggest discrepancies in talent on the 2022 roster may have been at backup quarterback. Brett Rypien started two games during the season, while making also appearances in two additional games. In those games, Rypein went 53-of-88 for 483 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

In the NFL, having a quality backup quarterback is key. For reference, look at the 2022 AFC divisional playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, where backup Chad Henne led the Chiefs on a 98-yard touchdown drive.

With that in mind, there is one free agent quarterback who the Broncos might target as a backup for Russell Wilson: Marcus Mariota.

Mariota was drafted No. 2 overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, taking the Titans to the playoffs in 2017, until he was benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill in 2019. From 2020-21, Mariota was backup to Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, before going to the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 as the starter-apparent. Mariota was benched in Week 14 in favor of rookie Desmond Ridder. Mariota has subsequently been released by the Falcons.

Over his career, Mariota is 1,312-of-2,095 passing for 15,656 with 92 touchdowns and 52 interceptions. Mariota may not be a starting-caliber quarterback, but he could compete for a backup position if Denver is interested in keeping Rypien. Mariota has shown capability in leading offenses, which is all you need in a backup.

If the Broncos decide to address the backup quarterback position, Mariota could be a cheap option in case Wilson ever went down.

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