Andy Reid gives credit to former player for helping with the development of current Chiefs superstar
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of a dynasty run, but coach Andy Reid hasn't forgotten the players that helped pave the way to get them there. Among them is his former quarterback Alex Smith, who played for the Chiefs from 2013-2017. After years of terrible QB play, Smith solidified the position and […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of a dynasty run, but coach Andy Reid hasn't forgotten the players that helped pave the way to get them there.
Among them is his former quarterback Alex Smith, who played for the Chiefs from 2013-2017. After years of terrible QB play, Smith solidified the position and helped lead the team to a winning record in each season, including four playoff appearances and two division titles.
Smith helped bring Kansas City out of obscurity, but unfortunately couldn't get over the hump of being a true championship contender. This led the Chiefs to draft QB Patrick Mahomes in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. They decided it would be in Mahomes' best interest to sit during his rookie season and be Smith's backup.
The rest is history as the Chiefs traded Smith after the 2017 season and committed to Mahomes, who has won two MVPs and led K.C. to three Super Bowl wins. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Reid credited Smith for mentoring Mahomes and believes that it paid dividends for Mahomes' career.
"I'm not saying he (Mahomes) couldn't have been as great as he is now if he didn't sit, but being with Alex Smith, I thought was something that you can't buy," Reid said. "And he was able to sit there and watch a guy that's the ultimate professional on and off the field, and just get an idea the lay of the land, of how things work in this league. And I think that's helped him in that part of his career. But I'm sure if he stepped in as a rookie and played, he probably would have been just as great as he is now. But I think that helped for sure."
One of the most intriguing "what ifs" in Chiefs' history is how the 2017 season would have shaken out had Mahomes played. He may not have been as polished as he was in 2018, but it's tough to imagine that he wouldn't have been great.
Mahomes made several flashy plays during the 2017 preseason, and played well in the regular season finale against a good Denver Broncos defense. Everything obviously worked out well as is, and Smith deserves credit for helping lay the foundation.
