Chris Oladokun Goes Viral: Chiefs’ Sleeper QB Lights Up Preseason and Ignites Roster Buzz

Kansas City, Mo.—Chris Oladokun has gone from practice-squad mainstay to preseason headline for the Kansas City Chiefs, and his march toward locking up the No. 3 quarterback job is gathering real momentum. The 27-year-old signal-caller flashed dual-threat upside in the exhibition opener against Arizona, completing 6-of-13 passes for 39 yards while adding a 26-yard fourth-down scramble that energized the sideline. More importantly, he steered clear of turnovers—something rival Bailey Zappe failed to do with two interceptions on the same night—giving coach Andy Reid a clean, efficient snapshot of what Oladokun can provide if disaster ever forces Kansas City beyond Patrick Mahomes and newcomer Gardner Minshew. Reid liked what he saw enough to promise additional snaps this week, telling reporters, “I thought he had a good game last week, so he’ll get some playing time this week,” a public vote of confidence that all but cements Oladokun as the inside favorite. Familiarity with Andy Reid’s verbiage is a hidden edge. Oladokun has been in the building since 2022 and re-signed on a reserve/future deal back in February, two weeks after Kansas City lifted its third Lombardi Trophy of the Mahomes era. That institutional knowledge showed up in his timing routes with rookie wideouts and in his assured pocket movement when Arizona sent extra rushers. Originally a 2022 seventh-round pick out of South Dakota State, the Tampa native checks in at 6-1, 213 pounds and ran a 4.70-second 40-yard dash at his pro day. Those measurables don’t threaten Mahomes, but they do give the Chiefs a developmental passer who can mimic mobile opponents on the scout team while offering real escape ability in emergency duty. Why it matters now: • New NFL “third-QB rule” lets teams dress an emergency passer on game days without burning an active-roster spot, making the QB3 battle more than summer filler. • Minshew’s one-year deal suggests Kansas City could enter 2026 auditions early; Oladokun’s ceiling run in August provides a low-cost lottery ticket. • Fantasy managers in deep superflex or dynasty formats should track preseason snap counts; Mahomes owners, in particular, gain clarity on insurance options. What’s next: Oladokun is slated to enter Friday’s road test in Seattle immediately after Minshew. Replication of last week’s ball security—and any red-zone finish—would likely seal the depth-chart decision before the August 27 cut-down. From there, the focus shifts to continued chemistry with second-team speedsters Nikko Remigio and Justyn Ross as the Chiefs prep for another title defense. Bottom line: The Chiefs don’t want Chris Oladokun to play meaningful regular-season snaps, but if the preseason is any indicator, they’ll feel a lot better if he has to.