KANSAS CITY, April 20 -- The Kansas City Chiefs Friday signed unrestricted free agent quarterback Bubby Brister as their backup for the 2001 season.
The 15-year veteran agreed to a one-year contract worth $500,000.
Todd Collins is Kansas City's No. 1 signal-caller, but the Chiefs reportedly are hoping to acquire Trent Green from the St. Louis Rams in a draft-day trade Saturday.
Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil said the signing of Brister does not mean the Chiefs will stop looking at other quarterback prospects.
"Bubby's signing gives us a little security at the position and gives us a veteran guy who's been an outstanding leader wherever he's been," Vermeil said. "Wherever he has been, the players always had tremendous respect for him. He's a very charismatic guy and it was amazing to see how well he could throw the ball in our workout."
The 39-year-old Brister played in just two games last season for the Minnesota Vikings behind Daunte Culpepper. In his career, Brister has completed 1,207-of-2,212 passes for 14,445 yards with 81 touchdowns and 78 interceptions for the Vikings, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brister owns a 37-38 record in 75 career starts over 99 games. His most recent stretch as a No. 1 quarterback came in 1998, when he started four games in place of the injured John Elway in Denver, completing 78 of 131 passes for 986 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
"We were extremely impressed with his workout and even more impressed with Bubby as a person," Vermeil added. "We've brought Bubby here to back up Todd Collins initially and then to help Todd grow as a quarterback."
