Shane Buechele pushing for Chiefs' No. 2 QB job
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Charles Goldman
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid shocked Chiefs Kingdom in preseason Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals when he gave Shane Buechele some opportunities with the first-team and second-team offense. He took full advantage of those opportunities going a perfect 10-for-10 passing with over 100 yards and a rushing score.
The former undrafted free agent out of SMU has been in the system for two seasons now. His performance during training camp and the preseason has created a competition with veteran QB Blaine Gabbert, per Andy Reid.
“Those two are real close, they’re real close, so they’re competing,” Reid said of Buechele and Gabbert. “We’ll just let it play out here (and) see how it goes, but it’s good competition.”
Buechele has put in a ton of work behind the scenes according to Chiefs OC Matt Nagy and it’s now exciting to see that work now rewarded. Part of it simply has to do with the way the entire quarterback room works and prepares.
“We try to take pride in that QB room that no matter who steps in the game there’s no drop-off and we can all go out there and have success,” Mahomes said. “I’m proud of all those guys, but Shane (Buechele) being here for two years just to stay grinding and grinding and preparing for his moment and he’s done great this preseason so far.”
As things wind down with the final week of the 2023 NFL preseason and roster cuts around the corner, Buechele knows the job isn’t finished. In fact, he’s welcoming the competition from Gabbert and Chris Oladokun.
“Just like Pat (Mahomes) said, it’s a great room and there is a lot of competition in that room,” Buechele explained. “That’s what you want. I think it gets the best out of the guys and Coach (Andy) Reid, (OC Matt) Nagy, (QB coach David) Girardi have done a really good job of making it a competition and it’s our job to go out on the field and play like we’re going to be the starter and prepare that way.
”So, we take in the competition. We embrace it and put our best foot forward.”
Felix Anudike-Uzomah's adjustment
The Chiefs’ first-round draft pick is hardly satisfied with his preseason performance, even if it has been a net positive. Appearing in the first two preseason games, however, was an opportunity for the rookie to get his feet wet in an entirely new system.
“Yeah. Obviously playing in my first game as a – in the four (man) front is different from K-State (Kansas State) where we were just in a three (man front). Also, just the pace of it is different, and there’s still a lot of improvement I need to do for me to be, obviously, a pretty good rusher.
The last two games were definitely something I really needed.”
There is still work to be done and while Anudike-Uzomah will continue to get snaps in preseason Week 3, he’s shifted gears with a focus toward making an impact during Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.
Rashee Rice's preseason Week 2 drop
On his first target against the Cardinals last week, Rice had a bullet pass from Patrick Mahomes hit him square in the hands, but he failed to look the pass in. It was his second consecutive week with a drop, but instead of getting discouraged, he was able to bounce back for a big performance.
What enabled that? He says it started with his veteran teammates.
“First off, I had the veterans make sure that I wasn’t getting down on myself,” Rice said. “They kind of could see me – if I get on the sideline and I’ll just be staring straight and then they’ll be like ‘next play, you got a lot more game to play’. I got teammates on the team that are always telling me to ‘seize the moment’ and I feel like I’m in a great position right now, so I just cleared to the next play and know I have a lot more game to play.”
It’s good to see a young player buying into that mindset, especially when it can be a pivotal part of the team’s success during the regular season.
21 Questions - Chiefs' Offensive Line: A Work in Progress or a Force to Be Reckoned With?
Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen and Tucker Franklin answer questions from the subscribers of KC Sports Network. Want the chance to have your question featured on the show? Subscribe to KCSN Daily for access to the Discord.
Transactions :
- 8/21 - Signed to 90-man roster - WR Juwan Green
- 8/21 - Waived-injured - WR Kekoa Crawford
Quick Hits:
- Amateur Hour Podcast featuring Ryan Scott Hall and HisDirkness made its KC Sports Network debut.
- KCSN subscriber Ross Sawyer wrote a thoughtful piece on the Chris Jones holdout.
- Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco returned to practice this week sans his yellow non-contact jersey.
- Chiefs HC Andy Reid provided an update on the latest Chris Jones holdout drama.
- An option who could be available to reinforce the team’s defensive tackle depth after roster cuts.
- My latest 53-man roster projection ahead of preseason Week 3.
