Patrick Mahomes is injured, with the Kansas City Chiefs superstar suffering a sprained ankle. If the quarterback is out, backup Chad Henne would have to play Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. We introduce you to the backup.

It remains to be seen which Kansas City Chiefs quarterback will start in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Hopes rest on superstar Patrick Mahomes, who is dealing with an upper ankle sprain.

If he is out or limited, hopes will again rest on backup Chad Henne.

Kansas City Chiefs: Who is Mahomes replacement Chad Henne?

This may be an unfamiliar name to the casual football fan, but Henne is highly regarded within the Chiefs ranks and by fans. The 37-year-old – the oldest player on the Chiefs roster – not only brings a wealth of experience to the table, he knows the Chiefs’ playbook inside and out, is in tune with head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and has already impressed in key, big moments.

Henne is a great player for the Chiefs.

For example, in the last game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

When Mahomes had to go down injured in the first quarter, the backup took over for a drive that even went down in season history. The quarterback led his team over twelve plays for 98 yards to the final touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce. The longest drive of the Chiefs season. Henne previously played only 18 snaps in the entire regular season.

Tight end so nice he scored twice. @TKelce

: JAXvsKC on NBC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/3PQhoYeSUP pic.twitter.com/oochFaCbW6

– NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2023

Kansas City Chiefs: Chad Henne with bike comparison

Hen-ne! Hen-ne! Hen-ne!” chanted the packed Arrowhead Stadium before Mahomes was again allowed to take over battered. He acknowledged the shouts with a charming smile, saying after the game, “It feels like riding a bike. Even if you haven’t done it for a while, you don’t lose it”. Andy Reid praised Henne: “He did a good job. What’s better than having one hell of a quarterback? Having two!”. The Locker Room celebrated Henne.

The Chiefs won 27-20, also by just a one-score difference. “The whole team believes in Chad and he’s proven he can be counted on,” Mahomes revealed.

When Henne is needed, he has been there so far. As recent club history also shows.

What’s better than one tough QB?

TWO OF ‘EM ✌️ pic.twitter.com/oNHzMIc4Zk

– Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 22, 2023

2021.In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Mahomes was forced out with a concussion and other injuries against the Cleveland Browns. Henne came in and led the team to a 22-17 win, in part by coming up boldly in stressful situations on third and even fourth down.

“I have a lot of respect for Chad, he’s a true competitor and leader. In challenging moments he’s there to lead us down the field,” Travis Kelce attested to the Mahomes substitute.

ANDY REID WENT FOR IT. RunItBack NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0JSzsCYMvR

– NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2021

Later, the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl, failing there to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady.

Chad Henne, the B on the Kansas City Chiefs’ A team

Henne comes from the same college as that Brady: Michigan. There he threw 87 touchdowns and 8,740 passing yards. Henne has been in the NFL since 2008, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round. Henne was a starter at times with both the Dolphins and during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2012 to 2017. He joined the Chiefs in 2018. In 78 NFL games, he threw 60 touchdowns and 63 interceptions.

Henne doesn’t match Mahomes’ class and stats, but he can win games and doesn’t need much of a start-up time to work.

The perfect backup to make a plan work under Andy Reid. The best plan B on the Chiefs’ A team.