Brady Quinn's Spot In The Chiefs Quarterback Competition

Just like Eric Winston is the best right tackle GM Scott Pioli has had in his three years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Brady Quinn is the best backup quarterback he's had. Well, the best backup outside of the Kyle Orton era down the stretch last season. Orton, though, signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

Quinn is an upgrade over Tyler Palko but he's not going to be taking Matt Cassel's job. When the Chiefs talked about a quarterback competition earlier this year, the question was whether it would be a competition that Cassel could potentially lose (like an Orton) or one that he would undoubtedly win (like a Quinn). Part of that is probably because the Chiefs believe in Cassel more than anyone else and part of that is just the competition that's available. The guys the Chiefs passed up in free agency include Chad Henne, Jason Campbell and Orton. High-end backups or low-end starters but hardly the difference between a seven win season and the Super Bowl.

This move should further confirm that Cassel is going to be the Chiefs starting quarterback in 2012. Outside of a high draft pick (like a Ryan Tannehill), the Chiefs depth chart should include Cassel at the top, Quinn and then Ricky Stanzi or a rookie.

So, yeah, Quinn is an upgrade but upgrading the Chiefs backup quarterback position wasn't very hard to begin with.