Quote:
Originally Posted by RunKC
Why 8 games in 2018? That's an interesting perspective.
What would those 8 weeks matter when he has 16 months to learn the playbook and an entire season to learn the game?
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Well, there's more to it than just learning the playbook. He'll need to be able to recognize the defense, make adjustments, find out where the safeties and corners are and know where to put the ball pre-snap. That's a lot for a 22 year old kid who's never focused on football year round.
Keep in mind, this year is his Senior year in college, making next year his rookie season. He'll have a nice head start on the 2018 QB draftees but he's also behind developmentally than the projected top three QB's because they all play under center in a pro style offense. Mahomes will need to learn to throw out of a 3, 5 or 7 step drop as well.
I'm super high on him and have been since last Fall. But I'd much rather see him learn, like Aaron Rodgers did because if they rush him, there's a good chance he'll be overwhelmed.
Look no further than Kaepernick. He entered the 2012 season at the midway point, kicked ass, then has regressed each season to the point where he doesn't even have a job at age 29, which should be his prime.
Even though I didn't constantly post negative thoughts about Alex Smith on a daily or hourly basis didn't mean that I wasn't just as frustrated at you or other Chiefs fans. We've seen this movie before and as much as I'd like to see Mahomes put in a Dak Prescott like rookie season, I think that's highly unlikely.
So with in mind, I think the Chiefs will take as much time as possible with his development so that he has a seamless transition and is ready to lead the team well beyond the first round of the playoffs. IMO, that happens somewhere past his 24th game as a pro and may not even occur until 2019.
But regardless, I think they're looking 10-15 years down the road, not 1 or 2.