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Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback EJ Manuel has retired, as first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates. The move appeared on the NFL’s official transactions report.
Chiefs backup QB EJ Manuel has retired. He was signed earlier this offseason.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 13, 2019
Manuel, 29, signed with the Chiefs earlier this offseason.
“I thought EJ would fit well in the room,” Reid said at the NFL’s Scouting Combine. “I’m sensitive to that, who you put in that room. That’s a room where there are a lot of things exposed offensively and you want to make sure you have the right personalities in there. I thought EJ would fit into that. I think he’ll be a nice addition, he’s a pro, he’s got a good reputation throughout the league with the teams he’s been with. He had a nice workout.”
Manuel entered the NFL as a 2013 first-round pick with the Buffalo Bills. Manuel spent four years in Buffalo before joining the Oakland Raiders to back up Derek Carr from 2017-18. The Raiders released Manuel after acquiring AJ McCarron last season.
It looked like Manuel would provide some competition to Chad Henne for the Chiefs’ backup position behind Patrick Mahomes, but not to be. The Chiefs quarterback room now consists of Mahomes, Henne, Chase Litton and rookies TJ Linta and Kyle Shurmur.
Manuel finishes his six-year NFL career with a 6-12 record, having thrown for 3,767 yards, 20 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Manuel had a 77.1 career passer rating in 30 games (18 starts).