The Kansas City Chiefs are holding their rookie minicamp this weekend, and while most of the attention is on the team's draft picks and undrafted free agent signings, one name on the tryout list carries a last name that resonates deeply with NFL history: Warner.
EJ Warner, the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, is participating in the Chiefs rookie minicamp as a tryout player, hoping to earn a spot on the roster. Head coach Andy Reid -- who briefly coached Kurt Warner during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles -- is giving EJ an opportunity to compete for a role with the defending AFC champions.
It's a long shot, to be sure. The younger Warner went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Chiefs already have a crowded quarterback room. But this is the NFL, and stories like this are what make rookie minicamps so compelling. Let's break down what this means for EJ Warner, what it says about Andy Reid, and where the Chiefs stand at quarterback heading into the 2026 season.
The Warner Legacy
For anyone who watched the NFL in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the name Warner evokes memories of one of the most improbable and inspiring careers in league history. Kurt Warner went from stocking shelves at a grocery store to winning two MVP awards and a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams, then later led the Arizona Cardinals to their first Super Bowl appearance. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Now, his son is trying to carve his own path. EJ Warner played his college football at Temple University, where he showed flashes of the same pocket awareness and arm talent that made his father famous. Over his collegiate career, he threw for more than 6,000 yards and 42 touchdowns. He wasn't a combine star--lacking the elite arm strength or prototype size that scouts covet--but he demonstrated the kind of football IQ and poise that often runs in the family of a quarterback legend.
But the NFL is a different beast. Going undrafted means EJ faces an uphill battle. Tryout players at rookie minicamp often get just a few practices to prove themselves, and the clock starts ticking the moment they step on the field.
Why the Chiefs?
The connection here is obvious: Andy Reid. Reid was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999 to 2012, and he coached Kurt Warner during the 2004 season when Warner was brought in as a backup following Warner's rough start with the New York Giants. That year, Reid helped Warner resurrect his career. Warner started eight games for the Eagles, throwing six touchdowns and four interceptions, before moving on to Arizona the following season.
That brief but meaningful relationship is likely why EJ Warner is getting this opportunity. Reid has always been a coach who values relationships and family connections. He's given second chances to players with checkered histories and isn't afraid to take a flyer on someone who comes from solid football stock.
"Organizations are built on relationships," one league source noted. "Andy remembers Kurt, and he remembers the kind of person Kurt is. Giving EJ a chance is about more than just football -- it's about honoring that connection while seeing if the apple falls close to the tree."
The Quarterback Room Logjam
Now, let's be realistic about EJ Warner's chances. The Chiefs currently have five quarterbacks under contract:
- Patrick Mahomes (#15) -- unquestioned starter
- Justin Fields (#7) -- backup, dynamic dual-threat option
- Jake Haener -- competing for third or practice squad spots
- Chris Oladokun (#19) -- competing for the third or practice squad spots
- Garrett Nussmeier -- drafted in 2026 as a developmental quarterback
That's five quarterbacks already under contract. With such depth and investment by the team, there is simply no space in the top three starting roles. Mahomes leads the team as the premier QB in the league; Fields provides a unique skill set behind him; Nussmeier is the team's draft investment for the future. Haener and Oladokun vie for practice squad or reserve roles.
EJ Warner would have to outplay several quarterbacks already vetted and deeply familiar with the offense to earn a spot. It's a steep climb in a crowded room.
What a "Tryout" Actually Means
It's important to understand what a "tryout player" does in rookie minicamp. These players are invited temporarily, not under contract, often paying their own expenses to attend. The goal is straightforward: make a strong impression in a very short period.
Best-case scenario: EJ impresses the coaches, earning an invitation to training camp or a practice squad spot. That would allow continued evaluation in a more controlled environment.
Worst-case scenario: After a few practices and reps, the coaches decide to move on, and he returns to free agency quickly.
The odds for undrafted free agents making a 53-man roster are slim (roughly 2%), especially at quarterback, a position usually limited to no more than three active roster spots.
Andy Reid's Track Record with Quarterbacks
If any coach can spot and develop quarterback talent, it's Andy Reid. His track record spans a wide array of quarterbacks including Brett Favre (assistant coach Green Bay), Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Alex Smith, and Patrick Mahomes. Reid has turned overlooked quarterbacks into starters and elite players.
He's also shown a willingness to give chances to quarterbacks generally considered castoffs. In Philadelphia, he signed Jeff Garcia and watched him lead the Eagles into the playoffs. In Kansas City, he gave Chad Henne a renewed career as a trusted backup. Reid once gave Byron Leftwich a look in training camp as well.
While EJ Warner's path looks difficult statistically, he's in the right place to be evaluated carefully by a quarterback guru.
The Human Element
This story is compelling beyond football. Football is a game steeped in legacies. Watching a Hall of Famer's son attempt to follow in his father's footsteps touches on themes of perseverance and legacy.
Kurt Warner's path was defined by grit and faith, overcoming early doubts. EJ now faces similar challenges and lofty expectations.
"It's not easy being the son of a Hall of Famer," an NFL personnel executive said. "Expectations are sky-high, and comparisons are inevitable. But EJ has handled it with class. He's worked hard, put together a solid college career, and now he's getting a shot. That's all you can ask for."
Andy Reid, who has known Kurt Warner for over 20 years, likely recognizes the competitive fire in EJ. Whether that translates to NFL success remains to be seen, but the opportunity itself is a testament to the power of relationships in this league.
What's Next for EJ Warner
After rookie minicamp concludes, EJ Warner should have a clearer understanding of his standing. If the Chiefs are impressed, they might offer him a futures contract or a training camp invitation. Otherwise, EJ will continue to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The quarterback market remains fluid in the NFL offseason. Injuries or shifts in training camps could create openings across the league. For now, the Chiefs are EJ's best chance, and he's seizing the moment.
Final Thoughts
To be clear, EJ Warner is not competing for Patrick Mahomes' job or even Justin Fields' backup position. Best case, he competes for a practice squad spot behind a deep room that includes draft picks and experienced backups.
But that's not the point. The point is Andy Reid is giving a young quarterback a chance, honoring a long-standing relationship with EJ's father, and recognizing the intangibles beyond measurables and draft position. In a league focused heavily on metrics and draft capital, this is a powerful reminder of the game's human side.
Will EJ Warner make the team? Probably not. But he'll finish minicamp knowing he gave everything on the field. And if Kurt Warner taught us anything, it's to never count out a Warner until the clock hits zero.