Bills sign LB Christian Kirksey, QB Shane Buechele

#Bills sign LB Christian Kirksey, QB Shane Buechele:

The Buffalo Bills signed LB Christian Kirksey and QB Shane Buechele to the practice squad completing their 16-man practice squad to begin the 2023 season.

Kirksey, who turned 31 on Thursday, was a surprise cut by the Houston Texans this week. He was third on the team with 124 tackles in 17 games last season. He was in Cleveland for six seasons, Green Bay for one and spent the last two in Houston. His career totals: 778 tackles, 16.5 sacks and seven interceptions.

Kirksey spent the last two seasons with the Texans and has previously played for the Packers and Browns. He started all 17 games for the Texans last season and should have a good chance of getting called up to the active roster and getting some playing time in Buffalo.

With Matt Barkley on injured reserve, the Bills have only Kyle Allen behind starting quarterback Josh Allen. Buechele will be the third man in the quarterback room.

Kirksey, a former linebacker for the Texans, has started in 29 games since 2021 and has experience playing both middle linebacker and outside linebacker. He is from St. Louis, MO and is going into his 10th NFL season.

Buechele spent the last two years with the Chiefs, who signed him as an undrafted rookie out of SMU in 2021. He has never appeared in a regular-season game but showed some promise in the preseason this year.

Buechele joins the Bills after spending the last two seasons with the Chiefs. The former SMU QB had a solid preseason showing for KC, throwing for 349 yards and three touchdowns with a 64.4% completion rate in three games.

Kirksey will wear No. 55 and Buechele will wear No. 6.

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Chiefs GM Brett Veach reveals status of QB Shane Buechele

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach revealed the status of quarterback Shane Buechele in comments to the media on Wednesday. | from: @EdEastonJr

On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs made a flurry of moves to accommodate the 53-man roster limit deadline. The parting ways with several players that helped play roles on the team over the last few seasons were brutal for fans but even tougher for the front office in charge of making the decisions.

Chiefs’ general manager, Brett Veach, is charged with making the big personnel decisions for the franchise and was faced with the tough call not to retain backup quarterback Shane Buechele following an improved preseason performance. He spoke with reporters on Wednesday for a press conference to explain the critical decision.

“Yeah, that was a tough one,” Veach said of his decision to cut the former SMU Mustang. “We’ve gone in different directions in different years. We just try to keep some young guys, too; it’s difficult. You do try to project some guys that you can get in the practice squad and, you know, keep in six linebackers with something that is a little bit of an oddity in some regards.

“Still, when you have these young guys that are likely to be gone, you want to see that through. I think sometimes you have to make tough decisions. Obviously, Shane is a good football player. And you know, we love having him around. You know, certainly gonna miss him.”

Buechele played well in the first two preseason games but struggled with two interceptions as the starter for last Saturday’s preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns.

“It was just one of those things where at the end of the day, we always say this all the guys at the end of the day, like make our jobs easy and put it on tape, and that’s where Blaine (Gabbert) came out and won the job,” Veach continued. “It doesn’t make it any easier because I think there was a lot of trust and belief in Shane Buechele and loved him as a player but it wasn’t an easy decision. I think just from a roster management standpoint, and trying to navigate through the D-Line and (Charles) Omenihu suspension and wanting some extra corners because they’re young. They’re just sometimes rostered. As soon as Yeah, decisions you have to make. And that was what we felt was best at this time.”

Buechele finished the preseason and quite possibly his Chiefs career with 349 passing yards, three touchdowns, and as many interceptions.

Chiefs release QB Shane Buechele after standout preseason

The #Chiefs released quarterback Shane Buechele on Tuesday as they trimmed their roster to 53 players.

Shane Buechele’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs came to an end on Tuesday when the team parted ways with the third-year quarterback.

The move came after Buechele put together an impressive preseason as Kansas City’s third-string signal caller, which may have earned him an opportunity to compete elsewhere in 2023.

While Buechele’s performances in the Chiefs’ exhibition games in August were commendable, it seems that Kansas City’s front office valued veteran Blaine Gabbert’s experience more than the former SMU Mustang’s potential.

The Chiefs’ decision to move on from Buechele is somewhat surprising given his production in the preseason but is a clear indication that the team is comfortable with Gabbert as Patrick Mahomes’ backup.

Expect Buechele to catch on with a team that has a pressing need for a promising backup quarterback in the coming days, or for him to land on Kansas City’s practice squad if no new deal materializes by the end of the week.

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Andy Reid on performance of Chiefs QBs vs. Browns: ‘Obviously, too many turnovers’

Andy Reid made it clear that the turnovers surrendered by the #Chiefs’ backup quarterbacks against the #Browns were unacceptable.

The Kansas City Chiefs won their final preseason matchup by the skin of their teeth, coming back from a 19-point deficit against the Cleveland Browns to secure victory on a blocked kick late in the fourth quarter.

The team was put in a difficult position early in the game when backup quarterbacks Shane Buechele and Blaine Gabbert both threw interceptions that turned into points for the Browns’ defense.

Head coach Andy Reid was asked about the performances of his second and third-string quarterbacks after the game, and didn’t seem too concerned by their turnovers.

“I saw some good things,” Reid said of their outings. “[There are] a couple things we need to work on. We had obviously too many turnovers and they cost us points so you can’t have that – for sure. But there were some good
things in there, too.”

While neither quarterback is at serious risk of being cut by the team this week, Reid is sure to emphasize the importance of ball security as the Chiefs approach their regular season kickoff against the Detroit Lions in September.

6 players to watch in Chiefs’ preseason finale vs. Browns

Keep your eye on these six #Chiefs when Kansas City plays the #Browns on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs will look to finish their preseason schedule on a high note with a win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. After suffering a heartbreaking defeat in their first exhibition matchup against the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City bounced back to beat the Arizona Cardinals last week in a blowout win.

While many Chiefs are likely to see limited action in Saturday’s tilt, others will be fighting for a spot on Kansas City’s 53-man roster in their final preseason dress rehearsal for the team’s 2023 campaign.

Keep your eye on these six Chiefs on Saturday in Kansas City’s preseason finale against the Browns at Arrowhead Stadium:

Andy Reid on Chiefs QB Shane Buechele: ‘He looks more comfortable’

Andy Reid said that #Chiefs quarterback Shane Buechele “looks more comfortable” during his comments to the media after Wednesday’s practice.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been known to utilize his second-string quarterbacks in the past and has a competition for the coveted role on his hands ahead of his team’s final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.

Reid was asked about third-year passer Shane Buechele after Kansas City’s practice session on Wednesday and expounded on the development he has seen from the former SMU Mustang in the preseason. He seemed pleased with what he had seen and told reporters that the veteran presence currently ahead of Buechele on the depth chart seemed to be helping him settle in.

“Well he looks more comfortable, and I think in a crazy way, Blaine (Gabbert) has been good for him and bringing out the best in him, you know, the competition,” Reid explained. “Blaine is competing like crazy too, so it’s been a good challenge there for him but he’s doing a nice job, more time coming up here, so we’ll see how both of them do.”

Expect the competition between Buechele and Gabbert to be fierce against the Browns this weekend as each quarterback vies for their chance to back up Patrick Mahomes ahead of the 2023 regular season kickoff in September.

Chiefs QB Shane Buechele on lessons learned from Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Shane Buechele told reporters about lessons he has learned from reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes.

Fantastic performances from quarterback Shane Buechele have headlined the first two preseason games for the Kansas City Chiefs. Buechele has emerged as a serious contender for the backup quarterback spot behind Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes has had the luxury of veteran quarterback Chad Henne as his backup for years, but following his retirement, the spot is up for grabs. Buechele is in his third season with the Chiefs, spending the first two years on the practice squad. Buechele spoke highly of the reigning MVP’s influence on his improving game during Wednesday’s press conference.

“It’s not tough being in that room, but you gotta take what Pat (Patrick Mahomes) does, and put a little bit to your game and also let him do what he does,” Buechele explained. “He’s the best in the league at what he does. So, definitely his leadership style, I think that gets kind of caught up in all the behind-the-back passes and deep throws scramble drills.

“The way he leads a football team is special. And so I see that. And then, just different ways and protections, he’s super smart. I think that’s another thing that gets overlooked. So just his knowledge of the offense, the way he carries himself and carries this team, is definitely something that I’ve taken from him. As the older brother, I’d say in the room.”

The Chiefs signed veteran Blaine Gabbert during the offseason for the backup role, but Buechele has stepped up in the preseason to make it a competition. Mahomes’ mentality has brushed off Buechele, who would go on to explain his daily focus.

“I mean, he’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever been around,” Buechele said. “And he takes that, I mean, all of the accomplishments that he had last year. And that’s, that’s in the past. And he’ll tell you that it’s a new year, and he’s looking forward to this year. And we all are. Yeah, last year was great. But this is a new year, and we’re going to try to accomplish the same thing and more.”

WATCH: Chiefs QB Shane Buechele sends message to fans after preseason win vs. Cardinals

Shane Buechele was beaming as he delivered a message to #Chiefs fans after Kansas City’s win over the #Cardinals on Saturday.

Quarterback Shane Buechele has become something of a legend in the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason exhibitions, and turned in another outstanding performance on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals.

He ended the game a perfect 10-for-10 passing with 105 yards and was among the Chiefs’ most impressive performers in Kansas City’s first win of the 2023 preseason.

The quarterback shared a message with fans after the victory, making it clear that Saturday’s win was just a start to what promises to be an exciting 2023 campaign for the defending Super Bowl champions.

“Good game by the boys today,” Buechele said. “Good finish. We go onto next week to play Cleveland. Go Chiefs.”

Buechele can expect to get plenty of action in Kansas City’s third preseason matchup against the Browns as the Chiefs’ coaching staff evaluates his viability as Patrick Mahomes’ backup heading into the regular season.

If he can hold his own against Cleveland’s upstart defense, expect veteran Blaine Gabbert to be unseated on Kansas City’s depth chart.

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Top quotes from Chiefs’ August 19 postgame press conference

Check out all the top quotes from the #Chiefs’ August 19 postgame press conference after Kansas City’s win against the #Cardinals:

After earning their first win of the 2023 preseason on Saturday the Kansas City Chiefs will return to Missouri to face the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, August 26. Their victory over the Arizona Cardinals was a reminder of just how capable Kansas City is, even in exhibition matchups.

Andy Reid and several of the Chiefs’ players spoke to reporters after Saturday’s tilt to give the media valuable insight regarding their performance, expectations for the new season, and teammates ahead of the 2023 regular season.

Check out their top quotes below:

Chiefs QB Shane Buechele praises rookie WR Rashee Rice

Shane Buechele praised rookie receiver Rashee Rice in his comments to the media after the #Chiefs’ win against the #Cardinals on Saturday.

After an up-and-down Week 1 of the preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs got back on track on Saturday with a 38-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

All Chiefs quarterbacks had a great game, including 25-year-old Shane Buechele. Now entering his third season, Buechele seems to be comfortable in his role as the team’s No. 3 passer.

During Saturday’s game, Buechele succeeded partly thanks to the help of rookie receiver Rashee Rice, a player who Buechele looked to six times in the first half of the game.

“Just having him here has been great,” Buechele said of Rice after the game. “Helping him learn this offense because it’s tough on a rookie. I’ve kind of taken him under my wing and am trying to get him up to speed in this offense.”

Rice finished the day as the Chiefs’ most productive receiver, earning eight receptions for 96 yards. Not all was great, though – Rice had a drop for the second week in a row, and fumbled the ball on a 25-yard catch. Luckily, the ball bounced right back into Rice’s hands.

The best thing about the preseason is that Rice can get those mistakes out of the way and learn before the real games begin. And despite those early mistakes, Buechele is confident that Rice can brush those off and become a quality contributor in the NFL.

“He can be a really good player, he shows that,” Buechele said. “He’s just got to start a little bit quicker, and he knows that, too. He’s a great player. That was fun having that drive and going back-to-back to him.”