Andy Reid might not be making a quarterback switch in the very near future, but the rest of Chiefs Kingdom is largely ready for one.
The writing is on the wall for Alex Smith.
After the first five weeks of the NFL season, Alex Smith was leading the league’s most potent offense and enjoying a career resurgence that was changing the narrative on his “game manager” label into something more. Even at the halfway point, Smith was still very much in the conversation for NFL MVP. At this point, fans are calling for his head.
The NFL can change so much from week to week and one look at Smith’s stock shows just how much the winds can shift. That said, it’s clear at this point that fans are clamoring for someone new under center. Specifically fans are anxious to see Patrick Mahomes take snaps instead of sitting on the bench.
It’s not hard to see their perspective. Mahomes is the Promised Land, so to speak, a rookie with unlimited potential for a franchise that has never drafted a true icon at the game’s most important position. The incumbent, meanwhile, is laying eggs against teams that have been decimated by the rest of the NFL.
On Sunday, Smith managed a single touchdown and 10 overall points against a Buffalo Bills team that had surrendered 135 points in the previous three games. Against the New York Giants, a team with one previous win to their credit, the Chiefs couldn’t even make it into the end zone in an embarrassing 12-9 loss.
Related Story: Why it's time to start Mahomes now
Still Smith is likely going to start the next game and even the ones after that, which means Mahomes will be sitting. Andy Reid will likely stick by his man through thick and thin. That hasn’t stopped so many from expressing their desire to see Mahomes at any rate. Check out this sampling of social posts after the Chiefs’ most recent loss.
Time for our (now) weekly poll. Is it time for the #Chiefs to start Patrick Mahomes? 60% said "yes" last week.
— Arrowhead Addict (@ArrowheadAddict) November 26, 2017
For my KC folks: It's time for Patrick Mahomes. Enough is enough.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) November 26, 2017
Time to take the car cover off of the Ferrari. #Mahomes
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) November 26, 2017
RT if you're ready for the Patrick Mahomes era.
— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) November 19, 2017
The Pat Mahomes convo goes nuclear in...3....2....1
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) November 26, 2017
What's your anti-Mahomes reasoning at this point? The offense could almost literally not be worse than it was the last two weeks against two bad defenses. #Chiefs
— Joshua Brisco (@jbbrisco) November 26, 2017
Also, start Pat Mahomes next week. I know some will see it as a hot take. It's not. This team is bad. Might as well try something new and look toward the future.
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) November 26, 2017
I’ve seen it all. Mahomes better be playing next week. I don’t care if he’s not ready. Alex is done. It’s Mahomes time.
— Chiefs Central (@ChiefsCentral) November 26, 2017
It's Mahomes time. I'm sorry, but enough is enough. This team has too much potential and Smith has just lost us the last 2 games against two bottom-10 teams. It's time. #ChiefsKingdom
— The Reid Option (@ReidOptionKC) November 26, 2017
Start Mahomes next week
— Steven Spector (@StevenSpector10) November 26, 2017
Start Mahomes next week.
— Jeff Rosen (@jeff_rosen88) November 26, 2017
Yeah I’m 100% Mahomes now
— Chiefs Daily (@chiefsdaily15) November 26, 2017
Should probably start the Pat Mahomes era...
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammALDC) November 26, 2017
I'm glad I have the Monday morning slot for @ArrowheadAddict. Gives me thr first shot at a "Alex is done, play Mahomes" piece this week. #dibs
— Lyle Graversen (@LyleGraversen) November 26, 2017