Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs

In the NFL, quarterback depth is a luxury no contender can afford to overlook—and for the Kansas City Chiefs, the recent signing of Kyle Shurmur to their practice squad is a strategic move to reinforce their quarterback room ahead of a critical playoff push. Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs comes as the Chiefs look to add experienced insurance behind starter Patrick Mahomes, whose health is paramount to the team’s Super Bowl aspirations. Shurmur, a fifth-year quarterback with NFL practice squad and limited game experience, brings a blend of system familiarity and developmental upside that aligns with the Chiefs’ need for reliable backup options. For the Chiefs, this signing isn’t just a routine roster adjustment; it’s a proactive step to mitigate risk, ensuring they have a capable quarterback ready to step in if Mahomes or backup Blaine Gabbert faces injury or illness.

Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with Shurmur’s football journey, which is rooted in both college success and NFL resilience. The 6’4”, 225-pound quarterback starred at Vanderbilt University from 2015 to 2018, where he set school records for career passing yards (8,865), touchdowns (64), and completions (723). His senior season—where he threw for 3,130 yards and 24 touchdowns—earned him Second-Team All-SEC honors and caught the attention of NFL scouts. Shurmur entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, spending two seasons on their practice squad before signing with the Denver Broncos’ practice squad in 2021. He later had stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons, primarily serving as a practice squad quarterback and occasional game-day emergency backup. Most recently, Shurmur spent the 2025 season with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals, where he started 10 games and led the league in completion percentage (68.2%). “Kyle has proven he can learn systems quickly and execute when given the chance,” said Chiefs quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy. “His college production and recent success in the USFL show he has the arm talent and football IQ to contribute, even in a practice squad role.” For Shurmur, the Chiefs’ offer represents a chance to join a championship-caliber organization and work alongside one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in Mahomes.

A key context for Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs is the Chiefs’ recent need to shore up quarterback depth. While Mahomes has been remarkably durable (missing just two games in his career), backup Blaine Gabbert is 34 years old and has dealt with minor shoulder soreness in recent weeks—raising concerns about a potential gap if both quarterbacks are unavailable. The Chiefs’ previous practice squad quarterback, Chris Oladokun, was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to their active roster in Week 14, leaving the position vacant. Shurmur’s signing fills that void, providing the Chiefs with a third quarterback who can participate in practice, simulate opposing quarterbacks on the scout team, and serve as an emergency option on game days. “Quarterback depth is non-negotiable, especially this time of year,” said Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. “Losing Chris to Pittsburgh left us with a need, and Kyle was the perfect fit. He’s been in multiple NFL systems, he understands how to prepare, and he can step in and help our defense get ready for opponents each week.” Shurmur’s ability to mimic the playing styles of upcoming opponents—like the Las Vegas Raiders’ Jimmy Garoppolo and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow—will be invaluable in practice, helping the Chiefs’ defense prepare for different offensive schemes.

Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs also details the specific role Shurmur will play for the Chiefs. Primarily, he will serve as the scout team quarterback, a critical position that requires learning and executing the offensive playbooks of the Chiefs’ upcoming opponents. This involves mimicking the opposing quarterback’s cadence, decision-making, and throwing tendencies—allowing the Chiefs’ defense to practice against a realistic simulation of what they’ll face on game day. Shurmur will also participate in offensive drills during practice, serving as a backup to Mahomes and Gabbert and helping the Chiefs’ offense refine its own plays. In the event of an injury to Mahomes or Gabbert, Shurmur would be eligible for a “standard elevation” to the active roster, a provision that allows teams to promote practice squad players for up to three games per season without exposing them to waivers. “Kyle’s role is about more than just being a backup,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “He’ll make our defense better by simulating opponents, and he’ll push Patrick and Blaine in practice by giving them competition. Every player on our practice squad has a purpose, and Kyle’s purpose is clear.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Shurmur’s presence ensures that no matter what happens with their top two quarterbacks, they have a prepared, capable option waiting in the wings.

Another layer of Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs is how Shurmur’s background aligns with the Chiefs’ offensive system. Shurmur played in a pro-style offense at Vanderbilt, where he learned to read defenses, make pre-snap adjustments, and throw from different platforms—skills that translate directly to Reid’s complex offensive scheme. During his time with the Bengals and Vikings, Shurmur also worked with coaches who had ties to Reid’s system, giving him a basic understanding of the Chiefs’ terminology and playcalling structure. This familiarity will allow Shurmur to contribute immediately, without the steep learning curve that often comes with joining a new team. “Kyle already knows some of our terminology from his past stops, which is a huge plus,” said Nagy. “He won’t need weeks to get up to speed—he can jump right in and help us in practice this week. That’s the kind of flexibility we need right now.” Shurmur’s ability to adapt quickly also makes him a valuable asset if he’s ever called upon to play in a game, as he’d already be familiar with the Chiefs’ core offensive concepts. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this alignment between Shurmur’s skill set and their system reduces risk and maximizes the value of a practice squad signing.

Looking ahead, Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs is a move that underscores the Chiefs’ commitment to roster depth and preparation—two pillars of their sustained success. While Shurmur may never take a snap in a regular-season or playoff game for the Chiefs, his contributions in practice could still impact the team’s performance, helping the defense prepare for key opponents and keeping Mahomes and Gabbert sharp. For Shurmur, the opportunity to work with Reid, Nagy, and Mahomes is a career development win, as he’ll gain insights from some of the NFL’s best minds in quarterback play. “Being around Patrick and Coach Reid is a dream come true,” Shurmur said in a brief interview after signing. “I’m here to work hard, help the team however I can, and soak up as much knowledge as possible. If that means simulating opposing quarterbacks in practice or holding a clipboard on game days, I’m all in.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this signing is a small but important piece of their larger playoff puzzle—a reminder that championships are won not just by star players, but by the depth and preparation of the entire roster. Kyle Shurmur Inks Deal with Practice Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just about adding a quarterback; it’s about the Chiefs’ relentless focus on eliminating weaknesses and putting themselves in the best position to win, no matter what challenges the season brings.