What if Chiefs don’t draft a quarterback?

In all honesty, no it wouldn’t. Alex Smith is a decisive figure within Chiefs kingdom. That much is clear. However, his performances down the stretch last season mean that he deserves backing.

Smith played well. In fact he played some of the best football of his career in the latter few games of the season. The improved offensive line was clearly a major influence in Smith’s improved performances. He had much more confidence to stand in the pocket, take his time in progressing through his reads and wasn’t looking to check down or use his legs as soon as he received the snap.

In years gone by with Kansas City, Smith has been far too skittish in the pocket. However, he suddenly found confidence in the time that his line was giving him, allowing him to step into his throws. He began to add serious velocity to his passes, beginning to fire in throws into tight windows, and was still using his legs to great ability to extend plays and drives, converting crucial third downs multiple times.

Smith will be the starting quarterback of this team next season. That much is certain. What will happen beyond next year is far from clear however? Smith’s contract is team friendly from next year on, and Dorsey has structured his deal in such a way that will allow Kansas City to cut Smith without too much dead money lost to the cap. Therefore, to answer the question of whether it would be a bad thing if a quarterback is not drafted this year, truly depends on whether you see Smith as a long term option for the franchise.

Smith is not an elite quarterback. He is, though, better than his game manager tag that he so often is labelled with and should be given another year to prove that he can take this franchise forward. While it would be nice to see a quarterback, a franchise quarterback, drafted this year, it would be nice to see Smith given another year to continue to improve and prove that he can be the future of the Chiefs under center.