Patrick Mahomes’ New Shadow? Southeast Missouri Star Crashes Chiefs’ Quarterback Battle!

While Patrick Mahomes remains the undisputed king of Kansas City, a new name is quietly making waves behind the scenes. Southeast Missouri’s Paxton DeLaurent has been invited to the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp, setting the stage for an unexpected shake-up in the quarterback room.

DeLaurent, a 6’5″, 230-pound quarterback from Camdenton, Missouri, isn’t your typical underdog. In his final college season, he led the Ohio Valley Conference with 4,073 passing yards and 33 touchdowns — impressive numbers that turned heads despite playing outside the Power Five spotlight. Now, the Chiefs are giving him a chance to prove he belongs among the NFL’s elite.

Currently, Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun are battling for the Chiefs’ QB3 spot behind Mahomes and newly signed backup Gardner Minshew. Zappe brings limited NFL experience, while Oladokun has barely seen regular-season action. Into this mix steps DeLaurent, armed with a cannon for an arm, ideal size, and a fearless mindset.

For now, DeLaurent’s role may be limited to providing an extra arm for rookie minicamp, but insiders believe he could make things interesting if he flashes the right combination of poise, accuracy, and decision-making. The Chiefs have a history of finding and developing hidden talent — and DeLaurent seems determined to make the most of this golden opportunity.

Rookie minicamps are usually quiet affairs, but DeLaurent’s presence has sparked curiosity. Could Kansas City’s next backup — or even future trade asset — be hidden in plain sight? While Mahomes’ position is as secure as ever, the battle behind him just got a lot more interesting.

One thing is certain: DeLaurent’s journey is just beginning. Whether he carves out a roster spot or simply earns valuable NFL experience, he’s now part of a Chiefs offseason story that fans will be watching closely. After all, even legends have to start somewhere — and Paxton DeLaurent’s first NFL chapter is officially underway.