Why the upcoming Patrick Mahomes era should give you hope

Even as the current season plays out, a look ahead shows reason for excitement and hope with the looming Patrick Mahomes era.

It’s no secret this is a contract year for Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Alex Smith. With a young gunslinger in Patrick Mahomes behind him on the bench, he has definitely played well. Yet, Smith is still Smith. He can’t take a game over or put the team on his back. Consistently he beats the poor, average and even good teams. However, when it comes to the Super Bowl contenders, unless everything goes perfectly, he falls short. Will our future quarterback be different? Can Patrick Mahomes lead Chiefs Kingdom to the promised land we haven’t seen since 1970? With an offensive head coach in Andy Reid and other intangibles in place, there’s reasons to have faith—even excitement.

Mahomes had an amazing college career at Texas Tech University. In three years he threw for 11,252 yards, 93 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He also ran for 845 yards and 22 touchdowns. The most outstanding parts of his college career was his play-making ability, decision-making and his arm strength. Lots of guys are accurate with a football, but not many of them can throw it 80 yards. Yes it was in pregame warm ups, but that is still remarkable. Not to mention at his pro day, he tossed a pass for 78 yards. He rarely gave the ball away, averaging a little more than 9 interceptions per season at Texas Tech.

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Mahomes played well in the preseason as well, showing good decision-making and play-making ability. His numbers weren’t out of this world. But keep in mind he saw limited time, sharing snaps with Alex Smith, Tyler Bray and Joel Stave. Mahomes completed 34 of 54 passes for 390 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Mahomes also ran for 44 yards on 8 carries.

Andy Reid will be a huge help for young Mahomes. Reid historically has gotten the best out of every quarterback he has had. Brett Favre is the biggest name on the list of quarterbacks he has had control over. Other names include Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, Nick Foles, Michael Vick and, of course, Alex Smith—all of whom posted career numbers under Reid’s coaching.

Another great thing for young Mahomes will be young talent he can grow with. The Chiefs most recent draft steal, running back Kareem Hunt, was taken in the same draft as Mahomes. Young wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson will all grow with Mahomes. You also can’t forget the growth he’ll have with Travis Kelce. Plus there is no telling what surprises are in store during the offseason and upcoming draft night.

Is it a guarantee Patrick Mahomes will be the Aaron Rodgers/Brett Favre hybrid Jon Gruden called him? No of course not. Given Mahomes success through college and the preseason, paired with such great young talent and a quarterback guru in Andy Reid, success sure seems more than likely. No one is calling for Alex to be benched; I’m simply saying there is reason for excitement—not only excitement but hope in the upcoming era of Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

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