KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs signed Terrelle Pryor to a one-year deal Wednesday to provide competition at the backup quarterback spot,
The signing could mean the end of backup Chase Daniel’s run in Kansas City. The Chiefs are tight against the salary cap, and parting with Daniel could save nearly $4 million.
The Chiefs also have developmental quarterbacks Tyler Bray, who spent last season on injured reserve, and fifth-round pick Aaron Murray on the roster. Murray only suited up once as a rookie.
Pryor, an electrifying college quarterback at Ohio State, has yet to experience much success as a professional. He was a third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in the supplemental draft in 2011, and started 10 of the 15 games he appeared in over three seasons in the NFL.
He’s thrown for 1,953 yards with nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his career. That includes a start against Kansas City two years ago at Arrowhead Stadium in which Pryor was sacked nine times and threw three interceptions in a 24-7 defeat.
Pryor is also a mobile quarterback, which would fit coach Andy Reid’s offense. He has run 93 times for 627 yards and three touchdowns in his brief career.
Pryor was traded to Seattle last April and released before the start of the season.
Daniel has proven to be a solid backup, even leading Kansas City to a season-ending victory over San Diego when Alex Smith was sidelined by a lacerated spleen. Daniel threw for 157 yards in the victory, which kept the Chargers out of the playoffs.
Still, the Chiefs have pending free agents in outside linebacker Justin Houston and center Rodney Hudson that they would like to retain. They also need to upgrade at wide receiver and along the offensive line. By releasing Daniel, they would take the first toward clearing valuable space under the salary cap to start their offseason maneuvering.