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Chiefs Weigh Reunion With QB Beaten Out in 2023 Roster Battle Amid QB3 Turmoil

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — August 2025 — With Patrick Mahomes cemented as QB1 and Gardner Minshew holding the QB2 job, the race behind them remains unsettled between Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun. Against that backdrop, a plausible option is on the table: the Kansas City Chiefs are considering a reunion with Shane Buechele — the quarterback who was waived at final cuts in 2023 after competing with Blaine Gabbert, then moved on to the Buffalo Bills. (Any reunion would depend on a change in Buechele’s current status with Buffalo.)

Buechele is a familiar face at Arrowhead: an undrafted signing in 2021, he bounced between the active roster and practice squad, earned a Super Bowl LVII ring with the team, was waived on Aug. 29, 2023, and later joined the Bills’ practice squad, signing again in early 2025. His biggest selling point is fluency in Andy Reid’s offense, which would reduce install lag if the Chiefs want a short-term stabilizer at QB3.

Buechele’s perspective:
Getting cut in ’23 was tough to swallow, but I respect how things run in Kansas City. If I get the chance to come back — wearing the red and gold of Chiefs Kingdom — I’m here to compete and push the room. And to Pat and the guys: I’m grinding every day to settle an old debt with myself.

Right after those remarks, the realistic next step would be Buechele jumping into a quick refresh — syncing up verbiage, protections, timing in play-action/two-minute, and running scout-team looks to keep practices clean and on schedule. Internally, there would be no promises attached to any reunion; the mandate is simple: raise the floor, operate crisply, and be ready when called.

For the Chiefs, this isn’t about rewriting 2023 — it’s about earning 2025. If Buechele smooths the day-to-day and keeps the operation on schedule, he’ll give himself a real shot at the QB3 seat — or a protected practice-squad role once the 53 is set. Either way, the standard in Kansas City doesn’t change: show up, stack good days, and honor the red and gold.

TIME CHANGE: How to Watch 49ERS vs BUCCANEERS in Week 6 - TV, Streaming, Kickoff Info
We are announcing a change in the schedule for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season. This game has been flexed by the NFL to optimize the broadcast schedule, ensuring the best experience for fans across the United States and internationally. Reason for the Change Optimized Broadcast Schedule: The NFL has moved this game to a primetime slot to attract a larger audience on national television networks. Team Performance: With both teams boasting an impressive 4-1 record after five weeks, this matchup is considered one of the week's most exciting, deserving a high-viewership time slot. Original schedule (before the flex) Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT) on Sunday, October 12, 2025.  pdated schedule (after the flex) Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Time: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 12, 2025 (local time in Tampa, Florida, equivalent to 1:25 PM PT) Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida How to Watch (U.S.) TV: CBS — Late national window (4:25 PM ET)Projected crew: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson Streaming: Paramount+ (with Live TV): Streams your local CBS channel (availability varies by market) YouTube TV / other vMVPDs: Watch via your local CBS affiliate (if carried) Out-of-market: NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube/YouTube TV for Sunday afternoon out-of-market games Radio Coverage 49ers (English): Flagships (Bay Area): KNBR 680 AM and 107.7 The Bone (KSAN-FM) Also available via the 49ers Radio Network and the 49ers app/website Example local listing: 1:25 PM PT Buccaneers (English): Flagship (Tampa Bay): WXTB 97.9 FM (98 ROCK) — Gene Deckerhoff, Dave Moore, T.J. Rives SiriusXM: Channel 226 (home-team feed) Bucs Radio Network: Statewide and regional affiliates (full frequency list available via team channels) Note: Over-the-air TV/radio coverage varies by location. Share your city/county and we’ll filter the local listings for you. Betting Snapshot (as of Oct 9, 2025 — subject to change) Spread: 49ers −3.5 Over/Under: 42.5 Moneyline: 49ers −165 / Buccaneers +140Check your preferred sportsbook for the latest numbers. Stay Updated For regional broadcast maps, game-week details, and fan events, visit the official team channels and follow on social media. International viewers should confirm local carriage and blackout rules with their providers.   We look forward to your passionate support for this crucial matchup! Let’s cheer on the 49ers as they continue their journey in the 2025 season!