Could former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith really become a coach?

The news of former K.C. Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith retiring on Monday afternoon came as a little bit of a surprise after he had just won the NFL’s Comeback Player of The Year award for playing major snaps following a multi-year recovery from an orbital leg fracture that threatened not only his career but his life. On the other hand, maybe Smith retiring shouldn’t come as such a surprise. Most, if not all, players, especially skill position players, may never come back from an injury like that. Sometimes you have to put your own well-being ahead of football.

Smith already proved he could come back from an injury that no one thought was possible. That would be the way to go out. Regardless of what you think of Smith as a player, he is a great person and there is no debate that he helped get the Chiefs to where they are now. However, Smith’s mentorship was arguably better than his on-field performances, which were very memorable for the record. That leaves many asking the question: Could Alex Smith become a coach?

When Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked about the possibility following the news on Monday, he was enthusiastic about the idea. “He’s a heck of a person. I told him if he gets into coaching, I’ll get first dibs on him. He’s a guy you’d love to have on your staff. A special person and one of my all time favorites.” said Reid. Reid also continued by saying, “If he gets into coaching, I get first dibs on him”.

Unfortunately, Reid was realistic and did note the fact that he doesn’t believe it will happen—at least not at first. Based on the relationship between Smith and Reid, though, it’s not outlandish at all to think the two could join forces on the sidelines some day.

Personally, I feel like Smith would be a great coach. A lot of times when a former player and fan favorite retires, you’ll hear a lot of fans say, “He should become a coach!” However, being a good player doesn’t necessarily translate to being a successful coach, and a lot of players wouldn’t make good coaches beyond being a position coach at the position they played.

Smith is a different story, though. Some people just have “it” when it comes to being a coach and a mentor. Smith definitely does. Don’t just take it from me. Take it from Patrick Mahomes.

To be a successful coach in the NFL is to deal with personalities and egos, to swallow your pride at one moment, and be a leader in another. Smith did exactly that when the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes. He knew his time was coming to an end, but he didn’t pout, he didn’t hide, and he didn’t shy away. In fact, he helped mold Mahomes into the quarterback that he is. “I’m just grateful for the time I had with him. He really helped me develop into the quarterback I am today.” said Mahomes upon the retirement of Smith.

You have to have that willingness and ability to work with others even if you don’t like it to be a coach, and Smith possesses that ability no question. It also helps that Smith played the most important position on the field in quarterback and played it well. He learned to see the field and rarely turned the ball over. He earned the title “game manager” during his playing days, which some see as an insult, when it really should be looked at as a compliment. Of course every quarterback wants to be elite, but many NFL quarterbacks would also kill to have the career Smith had.

Lastly, Smith has overcome a lot of adversity, which is something else great coaches like to preach. Smith is a guy who has been fought for and earned multiple starting roles, battled incredible injuries, earned Pro Bowl appearances, and led comebacks that didn’t seem to be possible. Having that story to tell and relate to players with is something that Smith will always have going for him.

Regardless of what Smith decides to do following his playing days, I don’t think there are many fans who wouldn’t like to see Smith become a part of Andy Reid’s coaching tree, which almost always guarantees you a head coaching gig of some sort if that is the route Smith decides to go. Smith has already worked with some of the best offensive minds in football as a player. Adding further knowledge by becoming Reid’s understudy coupled with his experiences as a player seems to be the perfect recipe for Alex Smith as coach.