Chiefs not considering benching Alex Smith for Patrick Mahomes this season

[thegame214]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/c...s-this-season/


Per Jason La Canfora


Despite their recent struggles on offense, the Chiefs are not inclined to make any switch at quarterback, team sources said, though the staff does remain very bullish on first-round pick Patrick Mahomes and his ability to take over as soon as next season. Mahomes continues to impress teammates and coaches with his efforts in practice and how he conducts himself in meetings and around the facility, and there is a strong sense that he could be a franchise quarterback sooner rather than later.

Even with their recent falloff in the passing game and running game, and with Mahomes' athleticism and huge arm, there is no movement to move on from veteran Alex Smith now and the only way he would lose his job would be to injury, sources said. Smith has tailed off from what was an MVP-like first half, with the Chiefs storming to a 5-0 record and being talked about as perhaps the best team in football.

They've gone into a 1-4 swoon since then and face a critical AFC game with the Bills this weekend, with the Chargers suddenly surging in the AFC West and the Raiders still capable of making a run, too. Smith has failed to maintain the big plays downfield that helped the team get off to such a torrid start -- the dink-and-dunk nature of the offense under him was part of the allure of Mahomes in the draft, as his gunslinger approach is the opposite of that -- and rookie running back Kareem Hunt has been bottled up as well.

Smith is coming off his worst game of the season in a loss to the lowly Giants coming out of the bye. He threw multiple interceptions, which is out of character for him. Coach Andy Reid was somewhat critical of his play after that, but Smith continues to get the bulk of starting reps and is entrusted with getting this team to the postseason.

However, numerous other GMs anticipate the Chiefs shopping Smith, who has one year left on his contract, in the offseason. He is signed to a team-friendly deal that is easy to deal, he would have significant value to any contending team that may want to upgrade at quarterback (Jacksonville; Arizona or Denver if they opt not to rebuild) and he is a proven, steady hand who teammates love and who protects the football (almost to a fault). The Chiefs seem poised to turn the offense over to Mahomes and it would be anything but a surprise should Smith leave Kansas City via trade after arriving there from a swap with the 49ers upon Reid's hiring.

[RunKC]

the Chiefs are not inclined to make any switch at quarterback, team sources said, though the staff does remain very bullish on first-round pick Patrick Mahomes and his ability to take over as soon as next season," according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

This sounds extremely concerning to me.

[kcpasco]

Originally Posted by RunKC

This sounds extremely concerning to me.

That sounds like an extremely Chiefs thing to do for me. Giving up on a season out of loyalty and stupidity.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by eDave

Help us Obi Wan Mahomie, you’re our only hope.

Ecellent!

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Dayze

That

Average LBs
Bad defensive line
Aberage secondary
Average (at best) offensive line
Bad QB.
Lack of depth and nearly every position.
Bad DC, bad Defenive philosophy.
Questionable OC, and philosophy (likely due to our bad QB)
Past his prime, arrogant, and stubborn HC.
Backup WRs on most teams as our starting WRs.


But tell that to the die hard tailgaters and you’ll likely get told we need to get more weapons and we never should’ve let Maclin go.

And just imagine one change at quarterback will raise everybody’s level of play!

[Reerun_KC]

Opened up espn app to check scores and boom this.

[NJChiefsFan]

Mahomes looked very good in preseason. He couldn't be taking that big of a step back in practices.

I think this has everything to do with the Chiefs being loyal to Alex and nothing to do with what they think of Mahomes.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

Mahomes looked very good in preseason. He couldn't be taking that big of a step back in practices.

I think this has everything to do with the Chiefs being loyal to Alex and nothing to do with what they think of Mahomes.

I'm not sure he'll play this year, but there was no way they played him today. I don't think they'll bring him into a game cold unless Alex gets hurt. I think when they do start him, they will want to give him the week with the 1s and build a gameplan around him.

They basically spent two 1st round picks on the guy, I don't think they're going to just wing it and "see what they got."

Originally Posted by RunKC

This sounds extremely concerning to me.

Those same people thought Alex Smith was a franchise QB. They aren't the final word. Mahomes can complete simple passes. That instantly makes the offense much, much better.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

Any assholes want to argue with me now and say I'm crazy?





Didn't think so.

Originally Posted by notorious

I just had a thought. Perhaps Andy is sticking with Alex to demonstrate to Patrick Mahomes that Andy will give him every chance possible to succeed.

"Go out and play, kid. You saw how loyal I was to Alex, don't worry about your job, just go out and let it fly."

At least I hope to god that's what he's doing.

That would be great. I'm with you on that particular hope.

Originally Posted by tk13

I'm not sure he'll play this year, but there was no way they played him today. I don't think they'll bring him into a game cold unless Alex gets hurt. I think when they do start him, they will want to give him the week with the 1s and build a gameplan around him.

They basically spent two 1st round picks on the guy, I don't think they're going to just wing it and "see what they got."

Originally Posted by Chiefs Moon

Those same people thought Alex Smith was a franchise QB. They aren't the final word. Mahomes can complete simple passes. That instantly makes the offense much, much better.

^^^^Both of these.

[Hammock Parties]

I think every situation is unique. As bad as Alex has played recently, the Chiefs trust him. Mahomes was drafted w/the idea of playing him next season. This offense is designed for Alex. Mahomes will get his own offense next season https://t.co/2Mmm97LYfA

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 26, 2017

This seems to be a very revealing tweet.

The offense as currently constructed is completely molded around Smith.

Andy doesn't do things half ass I'm guessing. He wants an entire offense molded around Mahomes before he gives him the reigns.

[Discuss Thrower]

I don't get that reasoning at all.

There's no ****ing point of Mahomes being the backup and getting familiarized with "Smith's" offense if they're going to scrap that offense in a year's time anyway.

[Discuss Thrower]

.... what's the point of getting younger players like Chesson, Conley, Hill, Hunt and Kelce familiarized with the playbook if they're going to have to relearn and get acclimated to very likely an entirely different one the year after? Hasn't the Narrative(TM) been that all of the contributors in an offense need weeks' if not months' of time to just get a basic understanding of Reid's offense down before they can even begin to get familiar enough in it to become key roleplayers?

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I don't get that reasoning at all.

There's no ****ing point of Mahomes being the backup and getting familiarized with "Smith's" offense if they're going to scrap that offense in a year's time anyway.

They wanted to shine up that Chrystler Lebaron to get best possible trade in value.

Too bad the piece of shit broke down on the way to Carmax.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

They wanted to shine up that Chrystler Lebaron to get best possible trade in value.

Too bad the piece of shit broke down on the way to Carmax.

If they need to tool an offense specifically for Smith and then retool it for Mahomes the year later, then they are basically conceding at least two seasons if not more of being postseason contenders.

What in the mother of ****...

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by tk13

I'm not sure he'll play this year, but there was no way they played him today. I don't think they'll bring him into a game cold unless Alex gets hurt. I think when they do start him, they will want to give him the week with the 1s and build a gameplan around him.

They basically spent two 1st round picks on the guy, I don't think they're going to just wing it and "see what they got."

That's how I see it. I think the Chiefs saw an opportunity to usher Smith out respectfully (with minimal backlash from the team or fans) while giving Mahomes lots of time to develop. Everything in the tea leaves sounded like the Chiefs have known for a very long time that Alex is gone next year. Neither they or anyone here ever expected it to go this badly.