In need of healthy options at the quarterback spot, the Chiefs have brought back a familiar face. Shane Buechele is back with the organization. 
Buechele signed to Kansas City’s active roster from the Bills’ practice squad, the Chiefs announced on Monday. In a corresponding move, Gardner Minshew has been placed on injured reserve. Minshew did not suffer an ACL tear as initially feared, but he will still miss the final two weeks of the season.
The Chiefs are out of the playoffs but they find themselves thin at the QB spot due to Minshew’s injury and the ACL tear Patrick Mahomes suffered in Week 15. Chris Oladokun finished the game yesterday, and he could be in line to start on Christmas Day against the Broncos. In any case, Buechele will provide Kansas City with depth under center.
The team sits at 6-9 on the year. As such, the result of this week’s matchup with the Broncos and the regular season finale against the Raiders will only impact where the Chiefs wind up in the draft order. Still, the next two weeks will provide Oladokun and/or Buechele with an opportunity to see playing time with the starting offense and thus audition for a deal this offseason.
A former UDFA, Buechele first joined the Chiefs when he signed to their practice squad in 2021. The 27-year-old did not see any regular season playing time before signing with the Bills in August 2023. Buechele remained in Buffalo from that point onward, but he could now receive a brief look on the field with Kansas City.