KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When the Chiefs make their decision as to the winner of the No. 3 quarterback job, neither Matt McGloin nor Chase Litton should feel they lost the job.
"I though they did a nice job, both of them, Matt and Chase," head coach Andy Reid said following the team's 33-21 win over the Green Bay Packers in the preseason finale for both clubs. "Matt having a little more experience, but Chase sure did some nice things. He saw the blitz, got it out of his hands, knew where he wanted to go with it. He did a pretty good job."
McGloin capped his preseason with a 10-of-18 passing performance for 127 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The pick on the final play shouldn't reflect too much on McGloin. The Chiefs faced a 2nd-and-10 from the Packers 46-yard line with 8 seconds remaining in the half. McGloin scrambled to his left and fired deep for wide receiver Byron Pringle, who stopped short on his route instead of continuing to the end zone. Cornerback Herb Waters intercepted the uncontested pass in the end zone.
Litton played the second half, finishing 13-of-21 passing for 166 yards. While the offense didn't score a touchdown, Litton did lead three scoring drives ending in field goals. The Chiefs controlled the clock for 18 minutes, 52 seconds in the second half with Litton in charge.
The two quarterbacks wrapped up the preseason with similar numbers. McGloin finished 25-of-36 passing for 221 yards with a touchdown and an interception for a quarterback rating of 83.2. Litton completed 24-of-41 passes for 299 yards and a touchdown with a rating of 89.4.
Neither quarterback entered training camp under any delusions about their role. The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes installed as the quarterback of the present and future, and the club signed veteran Chad Henne to serve as a reliable backup and sounding board for Mahomes.
McGloin and Litton know only one can remain standing at 3 p.m. central time Saturday when NFL teams must cut their rosters to 53 players for the first week of the season.
Both quarterbacks showed moments of growth and maturity Thursday night. McGloin led a quick four-play touchdown drive in the second quarter, starting the drive with a perfectly thrown 62-yard post route to receiver Byron Pringle. He capped the drive with a beautiful touch throw to running back Darrel Williams for a 7-yard touchdown catch.
Litton may have shown his best moment on a short play. Facing a third-and-2 from the Green Bay 25-yard line, the Packers brought a blitz against Litton, who made the quick decision to find tight end Alex Ellis over the middle on a short crossing route underneath for the first down.
Litton said the experience working with Reid and the Chiefs' coaching staff during the past few months have greatly improved his understanding of the position.
"The knowledge of the game, it's priceless," Litton said. "I wouldn't trade it for everything."
Now both quarterbacks must wait until the word arrives whether they have made the team or must start looking to catch on elsewhere with another squad.
"Personally it was fun, I had a good time," Litton said. "Played football and everything I got for it, I asked for it. It was everything to work for it to be on that field with these guys, these pros and hopefully I get to keep doing it."
