What would it take for Patrick Mahomes to unseat Alex Smith?
The question is being asked: can Patrick Mahomes unseat Alex Smith in 2017? The answer: it depends on the Chiefs’ aspirations .
On this episode of Roughing the Kicker, a Kansas City Chiefs podcast here on Arrowhead Addict, Joshua Brisco talks about the latest news and conversation around KC, including what it would take for Patrick Mahomes to unseat Alex Smith, what Tanoh Kpassagnon will do in his rookie season, what CJ Spiller has to do to make the team, and what else is going on with the red and gold as training camp wraps up.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk made an offhanded comment about how the Chiefs obviously drafted Patrick Mahomes because they believe that he can take them further than Alex Smith is capable of. That much is obviously true. But Florio also said that, with that logic, he’d want to see Mahomes starting as soon as possible. The Chiefs don’t seem to be in the same boat, but it may be closer than you think.
Andy Reid has been loyal to Alex Smith in their shared time in Kansas City, but who has Reid been holding back in the Reid-Smith era? Chase Daniel, Nick Foles, Tyler Bray, Kevin Hogan? Reid may be loyal to his veterans, but never at the expense of the team. When Reid believes that Patrick Mahomes is the better option for the Chiefs, Mahomes will get the ball. In fact, I think that’s hardly up for debate.
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What is debatable then? Where Mahomes is now – or how long it will take for him to be the better option. To answer that question well, you have to adjust your goals. If your goal is to win 12 games and get to the playoffs (a noble goal, to be sure), then Alex Smith is your man. But I don’t have any particular faith in Smith’s ability to beat the Steelers and Patriots in the playoffs, en route to a Super Bowl against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers. Mahomes is the riskier option – certainly the man with the lower floor – but he has potential that Alex Smith simply does not have.
Alex Smith is 90% of what an NFL quarterback has to be. Patrick Mahomes may be less than that. He also may be more. But, as irresponsible as it may be, I’m itching to find out which way Patrick Mahomes would move this team. And I think Andy Reid may be right there with me.
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