Kansas City Chiefs Unkind for Pair of ex-Wisconsin Badgers
Two former Wisconsin Badgers had a tough night in the Kansas City Chiefs NFL preseason opener
The San Francisco 49ers rallied with 18 unanswered 4th quarter points to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-17 in NFL preseason action on Friday evening.
A pair of ex-Wisconsin Badgers, QB Joel Stave and WR Robert Wheelwright played for the Chiefs. But neither Stave nor Wheelwright had much success in limited opportunities.
Stave went 2-7 for just 10 yards passing. Meanwhile, Wheelwright didn’t record a reception and was just targeted a single time. In sum, a frustrating start to the preseason for both.
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Stave was the fourth QB used by the Chiefs. He played the 4th quarter. Unfortunately, after a 1st down incompletion, Chiefs WR Marcus Kemp fumbled on the next play abruptly ending Stave’s first series.
On the next Kansas City possession Stave picked up a first down but the Chiefs had to punt after five plays. He recorded his only two completions on that drive. Both were short passes as his 10 total passing yards would suggest.
Wheelwright’s only target was courtesy of Stave on the final Kansas City possession of the night. The pass was incomplete as were the other two Stave throws on that drive.
Last night for KC: Joel Stave 10 snaps (19%), 2 of 7, 10 yds, Robert Wheelwright 4 offensive snaps (8%), 1 ST snap (3%); 1 target #Badgers
— Dave Heller ✍️ (@dave_heller) August 12, 2017
A total of 13 different Kansas City players caught passes on Friday. Wheelwright was one of six Chiefs who were targeted but didn’t record a reception.
For Stave, the Kansas City depth chart is not his friend. The Chiefs traded up in the 1st round to pick Pat Mahomes from Texas Tech as the heir to Alex Smith. Smith will either be cut in 2018 se ($3.6 million dead cap) or depart as a free agent in 2019. Tyler Bray is the third QB on the Kansas City roster. He is a free agent in 2018. Stave needs to show enough that Kansas City will bring him back for the practice squad until some more QB jobs open in 2018.
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For Wheelwright, the Chiefs currently have 14 WR on the roster. He is one of five Kansas City WR who are scheduled to enter some form of free agency in 2018. Kansas City does not get a lot of production from its WR. Tyreek Hill was the Chiefs leading WR last season with 61 receptions, good for just 53rd in the NFL.
Earning a roster spot with one target and four snaps is not feasible for Wheelwright. He’ll need loads more opportunities in future games. Not simply catching passes, but running clean routes and blocking downfield as necessary.