KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When you hear Matt Moore's name, what pops in your mind?
Depending on where you're from and how familiar you are with football, you may think of Oregon State or the Miami Dolphins, but his role as the Kansas City Chiefs' backup quarterback may not be your first thought.
Ready or not Kansas City, Moore, who went 10 of 19 for 117 yards with a 57-yard touchdown to Tyreek Hill in relief last week, is the man Sunday night when the Chiefs host Green Bay in a prime time showdown at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Ever since KC's favored new son, reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, went down in Denver with a dislocated kneecap, Moore became a topic of conversation.
But hust who is Matt Moore?
He is a veteran of 12 NFL seasons, who sat out 2018 after playing more than 50 games for Carolina and Miami from 2007-17.
After graduating from Oregon State, Moore spent training camp as an undrafted free agent with Dallas before being claimed off waivers by Carolina. He then spent four seasons with the Panthers, going 7-6 in spot duty as a starting QB.
Moore moved on to Miami in 2012, going 8-9 during seven seasons with the Dolphins. That first year in Miami (2011), he went .500 in 12 starts, throwing for 2,497 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Last year, Moore hung up his cleats and instead worked as a scout for the team. He also served as an assistant coach for his high school alma mater in Southern California before Chiefs coach Andy Reid called after Chad Henne's suffered a broken ankle during the preseason.
"I was out for a year (and) was happy, but you know there are some things you miss as time goes on," Moore said. "So, when this opportunity came, I just couldn't say no to (it)."
Who could blame him? Joining Reid and the Chiefs is a QB's dream.
Despite missing the offseason and having barely a half of football to shake off more than a year of rust, Reid and Moore expressed confidence that he can manage the offense through Mahomes' injury.
"I have a job to do, so I told them, 'Let's work together, help me out and let's roll,'" Moore said of his message to the team.
Reid added, "Since he's been here, he has grinded to learn all this stuff. I think this week in practice, him working in there and having an opportunity to at least get in a do a couple things will benefit him if he's got to go."
And go he will.
Mahomes was ruled out Friday, so Moore will get the start opposite likely future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and the 6-1 Packers on Sunday Night Football. The game will be televised at 7:20 p.m. on 41 Action News.
If you started off this week only knowing Mahomes-less, at least now you know Moore.
