The addition of Patrick Mahomes and the possibility of hitting free agency in the near future has Alex Smith balling out at Chiefs camp.
Okay, the title says greatness. Perhaps that is pushing it. I’m not here to say Alex Smith is going to break records. I’m not saying he has this team headed to the Super Bowl. So what am I saying? It is getting very difficult to overlook what he has been doing in training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs.
This far, he looks the part. Yes, It is just camp. No, we won’t be seeing much of him against the 49ers during the first preseason game of 2017 on Friday. But early reports from St. Joe show Smith already in fine form, forming a strong connection with Tyreek Hill.
If you have kept up with how training camp is going, you have seen the arm of Alex Smith. You have seen the touch. You have also seen the accuracy. So far he is making average players look good, and that is what great quarterbacks do.
The Mahomes factor
When the Chiefs moved up to get Patrick Mahomes in the first round, that was evidence enough that the organization was looking toward the future. The hype surrounding Mahomes appears to be warranted as he has been a human highlight film in his own right this offseason.
There is a glaring difference between Patrick Mahomes and Alex Smith however. The mistakes. Alex Smith has been on point all offseason. Patrick Mahomes has produced some quackers to go along with all the deep heaves and perfectly placed passes. Mahomes has hit his receiver right in the hands on most throws, he has also hit his receiver square in the back of the helmet on occasions.
It is refreshing to know the Chiefs rookie is primed for the future, the present quarterback is doing his best to put that future on hold.
Perhaps Smith grew comfortable in his relationship with the Chiefs. His position on the team had yet to be challenged since his arrival. No matter his performance, he was going to be the quarterback the next week.
No, I am not implying that he was taking it easy, or taking plays off. What I am implying is he’s human. Without pressure, we all tend to relax a bit. Whether it be in our relationships or our jobs, as soon as we get comfortable we loosen up. We don’t give 100% effort 100% of the time.
This isn’t the first time Alex Smith has looked good in training camp. It also isn’t the first time he’s thrown deep, accurate passes either. So what’s different? Tyreek Hill is very quickly putting himself into the discussion of top receivers in the league. The connection between Smith and Hill looks very natural out there.
Mahomes brings the pressure to perform. So far it seems as though the response from Smith to that pressure is going to be a huge plus for Kansas City and the fans.
2017 is a job interview
A job interview is exactly what this season is for Smith. His performance this year will direct his professional future. So many questions will be answered after the last whistle.
If Smith plays great, and let’s say the Chiefs get to the Super Bowl, it would make sense that Kansas City wants to stick with Smith for one more season. Say the Chiefs happen to win the Super Bowl, one will imagine the quarterback for the champs wouldn’t be released.
If the Chiefs fall short of bringing home the hardware, but Smith still plays well, the organization may be ready to move forward with the future. This is the general consensus among those who have an opinion. A good season by Smith gives him plenty of invites from teams needing veteran leadership and a decent quarterback next offseason. A number of teams would love to have Smith at the helm no matter his performance this season, but a great season opens many more doors.
We cannot pretend that he does not realize what is at stake here. Put yourself in his shoes. You would be working harder, taking more chances, studying more film, and you would be pushing yourself more than ever before.
It is a hollywood script. A veteran quarterback who has grown comfortable being mediocre. A stud rookie ready to take his spot. While I refuse to write the rest of that script, Hollywood is fairly consistent of feeding us “the last hoorah”.
The pressure to be great is all on Alex Smith. When the time comes that Smith is no longer a Chief, the shoes will not be easy to fill. Then I will be writing an article called “Pushing Mahomes to Greatness.”