Chiefs’ ceiling contingent upon the fate of Alex Smith

Alex Smith is the best quarterback on the Kansas City Chiefs roster, but that’s not a sufficient enough reason to keep him as the unquestioned starter if his recent struggles continue.

Let’s be clear about the quarterback situation in Kansas City — there is no controversy. Alex Smith is the team’s best option at the position, period. Once you control for game experience, overall consistency and the ability to play mistake-free football, there’s little discussion to be had about who the Chiefs starter should be.

Backup Nick Foles certainly has a number of NFL starts to his credit, but hasn’t had the kind of sustained success it would require to warrant strong consideration as Smith’s replacement. At least, that’s the prevailing narrative in and around One Arrowhead Drive. In conversation, it’s typically a non-starter. Today’s question: Should it be?

Since 2011, Alex Smith has won more regular season games than everyone not named Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. The 11-year veteran is 56-24-1 over that stretch (he’s had 39 wins since coming to Kansas City). Smith-led teams win roughly 70 percent of the time. That’s as close to unimpeachable as a quarterback who hasn’t won a Super Bowl can get.

He’s had a ton of success in recent years, including a recent playoff win, but the history hasn’t been enough to insulate him from calls for his head.