With Patrick Mahomes in the locker room dealing with an injury, Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Chad Henne delivered in a big way on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chad Henne Talks Preparation
Mahomes suffered a right ankle injury late in the first quarter. Henne, the 37-year-old backup, came in for a drive during the second quarter and the Chiefs’ offense never skipped a beat. He helped orchestrate a 98-yard touchdown drive, which gave Kansas City a 10-point lead over Jacksonville. Henne used to play for the Jaguars from 2012-2017, possibly using that as extra motivation.
“I don’t know if it’s like riding a bike, but you’re always prepared,” Henne said. “I think with this offense, obviously with all our weapons that we have, and staying prepared each and every moment, I think you just stay ready. And when your number’s called, you just go in there and do what you did in practice and the meeting rooms, and you just take it to the game.”
Chad Henne Praised By Teammates
Chad Henne’s long touchdown drive started and ended with completions to Chiefs’ star tight end Travis Kelce.
“Chad’s been nothing but the best quarterback he can be throughout it all,” said Kelce. “What I mean by that is every single day, he’s preparing as if he’s the starting quarterback — as if he’s one snap away. Sure enough, you saw that today.”
Even Patrick Mahomes had high praise for Henne.
“The team has so much belief in Chad,” said Mahomes. “He’s done it before. He’s won Divisional games by coming in and playing. You saw on that 98-yard drive: he ran the offense the way the offense is supposed to be run. He threw it to the right guys — and guys stepped up and made plays.
“That’s what a great team does. It’s not about one guy. It’s about the whole team.”
Luckily, Mahomes was able to come in after Henne’s drive and finish the game. The Chiefs beat the Jaguars 27-20. Without Henne’s touchdown drive, who knows what would have happened.
There’s no telling when or if the veteran backup QB will get another chance to play in an NFL game, however, if he does, he’ll be ready. Next week, Kansas City will be playing in their fifth-straight AFC Championship game.
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