Jacksonville Jaguars has become a QB pipeline for the Kansas City Chiefs

It took the Jacksonville Jaguars several years to find a quarterback before they drafted Trevor Lawrence first overall in 2021. Although many of the signal-callers they acquired didn't cut it, others have carved a niche as backups for other teams.

One of those quarterbacks that didn't pan out in Jacksonville but have found success holding a clipboard is Blaine Gabbert who's signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after spending the last three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Before his stint with the Bucs, the former Mizzou Tiger spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, the Tennessee Titans, and the Arizona Cardinals.

Gabbert was the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and for a brief period of time, he was seen as the long-term answer at quarterback for the Jags. However, the luster quickly faded and he was kicked to the curb after just three years.

Since his stint in Jacksonville, Gabbert has attempted more than 100 passes in a season once and he won't see the field much in Kansas City unless Patrick Mahomes gets hurt, which is not what the Chiefs plan.

Before Blaine Gabbert, the Chiefs had signed ex Jacksonville Jaguars QB Chad Henne

Looking at the Chiefs' decision to sign Gabbert, it feels like they look at the Jacksonville Jaguars' discard pile of quarterbacks to find a backup. Before Gabbert, Chad Henne was their backup from 2018 to 2022.

Even though Henne was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2008, he wore the Black and Teal for six seasons, most of them behind Blake Bortles on the depth chart. Had he not retired earlier this year, he would probably be the backup quarterback in Kansas City.

The biggest takeaway from Gabbert signing with the Chiefs is that not every first-round pick will turn into a franchise player but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Not everyone can be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the end of their career but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy success, which isn't only measured in the number of accolades they get.

In Gabbert's case, he's managed to remain in the league even though he showed early on that he wasn't suited to be a franchise quarterback. Nevertheless, he's getting paid for his role and remains part of the NFL. How many athletes wish they could go pro? Moreover, how many can play more than three years before they switch careers?

Despite the fact that Gabbert won't be making the Pro Bowl anytime soon, he's still in the league and the same can't be said for most of the players that part of the same draft class. Sure, many of the players selected in the top 10 (Patrick Peterson, Tyron Smith, and A.J. Green) are still around but when was the last time you heard of Jack Locker or Christian Ponder, other quarterbacks taken in the first round that year? Cam Newton, the No. 1 overall pick is trying to remain relevant and has gone as far as saying he's willing to take on a backup role.

Gabbert quickly realized that he wasn't franchise-quarterback material and has embraced his role as a backup ever since. Based on the news he's joining the Chiefs, it looks like things have worked out for him just fine.