Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith spent five seasons with the franchise from 2013 to 2017. After the 2017 season, Smith was traded to Washington as the Chiefs prepared to hand the starting quarterback role to Patrick Mahomes. 

Speaking on Larry Krueger's Krug Show podcast, Smith reflected on the moment the Chiefs traded up to select Mahomes.

“Then obviously we draft Patrick... I was coming off a career year and playing great in the playoffs and Pro Bowls and winning the division,” Smith said. "All of a sudden, we trade up in the draft, we're spending next year's draft pick to move up and take a guy at your position."

Smith admitted the decision was a tough one to swallow, as the Chiefs had traded up to draft a quarterback despite him coming off another successful season as the starter.

At that time, Smith was a starter for the Chiefs. During his five seasons with the Chiefs, he led the team to four playoff appearances, two consecutive AFC West titles, and earned three Pro Bowl selections.

While plenty of people questioned Mahomes as a prospect, Smith saw him differently.

“I'd seen Patrick play at the collegiate level and knew how unique he was,” Smith said. “There were a lot of people thinking that he was going to be a failure at the NFL level because of his footwork and how unorthodox he was.”

Despite the circumstances, their relationship remained strong, and Smith has always spoken highly of Mahomes. 

In fact, it was the rookie's approach behind the scenes that convinced Smith the Chiefs had made the right decision. 

Why Patrick Mahomes Stood Out to Alex Smith

Alex Smith said Mahomes' work ethic was hard to miss, recalling how the young quarterback spent long hours studying film and regularly arrived at the facility before him. This earned Smith's respect.  

“This guy loves the film room. This guy prepares like a beast,” Smith said. “He beat me into the facility almost every day."

Smith also pointed out that Mahomes used to arrive early to study Andy Reid's offense. 

“You need somebody's opinion, it's like, ‘Hey Pat, what do you think about this?’” Smith recalled. “Really valuing his opinion because he put so much into it.”

However, veteran Smith’s experience was an upper hand for Mahomes' development. Now he understands why Kansas City was willing to make such a bold move in the 2017 NFL Draft.

What do you think about Alex Smith being replaced by Mahomes? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Rudra Dubey