Who is Chris Oladokun? College, stats, more to know about Chiefs QB
- - Who is Chris Oladokun? College, stats, more to know about Chiefs QB
Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYDecember 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM
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Who is Chris Oladokun? College, stats, more to know about Chiefs QB
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs started three different quarterbacks in the same season was in 2011, when Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko and Kyle Orton combined to lead the team to a 7-9 record.
That will change in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season, as the Chiefs are preparing to start their third-string quarterback for the team's Christmas game against the Denver Broncos.
The Chiefs' decision comes amid injuries to starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and top backup Gardner Minshew. Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Kansas City's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Minshew replaced him in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans but played just 14 snaps before suffering a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture that ended his season.
Now, the Chiefs will turn to Chris Oladokun to lead them over the final two weeks of the season. Here's what to know about Oladokun as he steps into the spotlight on "Thursday Night Football."
PATRICK MAHOMES INJURY UPDATE: Chiefs provide timeline for QB's return
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Who is Chris Oladokun?
Oladokun is the Chiefs' third-string quarterback who has been elevated into the starting role after injuries to both Mahomes and Minshew.
Oladokun, 28, has been with the Chiefs since 2022 but had never played a regular-season snap for the team until replacing Minshew against the Titans. He enters Thursday's game having attempted 16 career NFL passes and will be tasked with keeping the Chiefs afloat against a top-tier Broncos pass rush on Christmas.
Where did Chris Oladokun go to college?
Oladokun played collegiately at three schools: South Florida, Samford and South Dakota State. He is best known for his lone season at South Dakota State, during which he led the Jackrabbits to an 11-4 record and to a semifinal appearance in the NCAA Div. I Football Championship.
Oladokun completed 62.3% of his passes at South Dakota State for 3,164 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 166 yards and two scores on the ground, as the 6-1, 213-pound passer showed good mobility throughout his college career.
Oladokun played alongside fellow NFL talents, including tight end Tucker Kraft and running back Pierre Strong, during his lone season at South Dakota State. He declared for the 2022 NFL Draft at the end of his six-year college career, which included a redshirt campaign in 2016.
Was Chris Oladokun drafted?
Yes, Oladokun was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the 241st pick overall and the seventh quarterback selected.
Below is a full look at the quarterbacks chosen during Oladokun's draft year:
Round 1, Pick 20: Kenny Pickett, Steelers
Round 3, Pick 74: Desmond Ridder, Falcons
Round 3, Pick 86: Malik Willis, Titans
Round 3, Pick 94: Matt Corral, Panthers
Round 4, Pick 137: Bailey Zappe, Patriots
Round 5, Pick 144: Sam Howell, Commanders
Round 7, Pick 241: Chris Oladokun, Steelers
Round 7, Pick 247: Skylar Thompson, Dolphins
Round 7, Pick 262: Brock Purdy, 49ers
Of the nine quarterbacks selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, only Purdy remains with the franchise that drafted him.
Chris Oladokun teams
Oladokun has played for two teams during his NFL career. Below is a brief look at his career timeline:
Pittsburgh Steelers (2022)
Kansas City Chiefs (2022-present)
Oladokun spent the first four months of his career with the Steelers before being waived in advance of final cuts. He landed with the Chiefs shortly thereafter and has spent parts of the last four seasons on Kansas City's practice squad.
Oladokun has won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, playing a role on the practice squad.
Chris Oladokun stats
Oladokun only saw his first NFL action in relief of the injured Minshew in Week 16 against the Titans. He completed 11 of 16 passes (68.8%) for 111 yards while adding seven rushing yards on two carries.
Oladokun was also sacked four times for a loss of 44 yards against the Titans. He posted an 88.3 passer rating without scoring a touchdown. The 28-year-old will look to check off that milestone first against the Broncos in Week 17.
Chiefs QB depth chart
The Chiefs have just two healthy quarterbacks in their organization following injuries to both Mahomes and Minshew. Below is a look at the pecking order within the team's unit:
Chris Oladokun
Shane Buechele
The Chiefs signed Buechele from the Buffalo Bills' practice squad to serve as the backup behind Oladokun.
Buechele originally signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of SMU in 2021. He spent two seasons with the team before playing the last three seasons in Buffalo. The 27-year-old has never attempted a pass at the NFL level.
The Chiefs do not have a healthy third quarterback on their roster. In case of an emergency, tight end Noah Gray would take over at the position, as CBS Sports' Melanie Collins outlined following Minshew's injury against the Titans, per the Kansas City Star.
Gray, 26, was a dual-threat quarterback at Leominster High School in Massachusetts before becoming a full-time tight end during his college days at Duke.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is the Chiefs starting QB? What to know about Chris Oladokun
Source: “AOL Sports”
