Alex Smith: Patrick Mahomes hasn’t seen “live bullets” in a while
By Matt Conner
If the Chief sit Alex Smith in Week 17 for the playoffs, Patrick Mahomes will face a challenge to be game-ready in time to play on Sunday.
Chiefs Kingdom is clearly excited about both the present and the future. While we’re all in an extra celebratory mood this holiday season due to the newly punch playoff ticket for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, questions are also being asked about whether or not Chiefs fans will see their quarterback of the future anytime soon.
Now that the Chiefs have a playoff spot locked up, Andy Reid was noncommittal as to whether or not he would be resting the Chiefs starters as they travel to Mile High to play the Denver Broncos in Week 17. With nothing to play for besides individual stats, Reid is likely to at least give a few players a break. Will one of those be starting quarterback Alex Smith?
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If Smith is given a break, Patrick Mahomes could be given his first professional reps at the NFL level. For those fans who’ve been waiting to see the Chiefs first round pick, Week 17 could provide an exciting glimpse into the future.
Smith was asked about the potential of Mahomes playing on Sunday and whether or not he would be ready to play. Being mentally ready after a full season in the playbook is only one part of the equation, Smith said.
"“I think on the mental side he’s obviously watching and mentally observing and mental reps and things like that. But throughout the week, limited reps. He’s running the look team and obviously then trying to prepare as much as he can to try to get ready. So he hasn’t been in live bullets since camp; I mean those practices aren’t like that. So in that sense it’s been a while. But, I’ve said this all along, he’s a pretty natural player. If he has to he’ll bounce back quick.”"
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Mahomes was the team’s first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft after a trade up with the Buffalo Bills, the team’s first investment in a quarterback in the first round since 1983—when K.C. took Todd Blackledge.