Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Says Alex Smith Is The Best QB In The NFL

Jul 28, 2013; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass against defensive end Tyson Jackson (94) during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson thinks Alex Smith is the best QB in the NFL.

But don’t take my word for it.

Take Pederson’s.

“Ultimately, every team has to have a quarterback,” Pederson told The Kansas City Star. “I think we have the best in the league.”

Pederson went on to say that though there are a lot of great QBs in the NFL, he thinks Smith has proven he can get the job done and just needs a team to believe in him.

“There are a lot of great ones, but over time, Alex has proven he can get it done,” Pederson said. “He’s a sharp guy, he brings a wealth of knowledge, he’s experienced, he’s a proven winner the last couple of years, and he needs a team to embrace him.”

Pederson is wrong, of course, but there is nothing wrong with what Pederson said.

Alex Smith has shown tremendous improvement over the last couple of years and a little extra confidence will probably be good for him. The fact that Pederson believes in Smith doesn’t necessarily mean that the team has any illusions about their QB’s skill set or abilities.

I think more what Pederson means is that Smith can be the best in the NFL at what the Chiefs need him to do. Every QB has a different set of skills and if those skills are utilized properly, the QB should have a chance to succeed.

Alex Smith isn’t Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.

He’s Alex Smith.

And as long as the Chiefs don’t lose site of that fact, they very well could have one of the best QBs in the NFL.