Following Tom Brady’s achievement of winning Super Bowls in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs starter Patrick Mahomes only could replicate this feat last season. While Mahomes acknowledges that he hasn’t reached Brady’s level of success, he undoubtedly surpassed his predecessor, Alex Smith.
As Mahomes transitioned into the starting role for the Chiefs, his remarkable athleticism became a defining trait. Though it has become possible for his athleticism, coach Andy Reid once suggested that Mahomes should show gratitude to Smith for his success.
Andy Reid believes Patrick Mahomes should buy house for Alex Smith
When Patrick Mahomes arrived in Kansas City, Alex Smith could understand that his tenure as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback would come to an end. Despite this, Smith didn’t hesitate to mentor the young star, earning praise from head coach Andy Reid. Andy Reid even joked that Mahomes should buy Smith an extravagant gift, like a nice house, to show his gratitude.
The 28-year-old eagerly absorbed knowledge from Smith, and Reid praised Smith’s influence on the rookie. Their mentorship extended beyond football strategies to encompass both big and small aspects of the game.
“You could see it right away in his rookie year that he had something. Alex Smith was phenomenal for him. And not that Alex even had to go out of his way, he just had to be Alex. And Alex ends up having his best year,” Reid said, per Yahoo Sports.
At the time Pat was poised to begin his NFL journey, Smith was already a seasoned veteran with 13 seasons under his belt. While Smith’s performance began to decline with age, his leadership qualities remained invaluable to the Chiefs.
Although Smith couldn’t lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory, he achieved significant milestones during his tenure. He guided the team to the playoffs four times between 2013 and 2017, securing two playoff victories. Additionally, he led the Chiefs to win their first consecutive division titles in franchise history and their first playoff victory since 1993 in the 2015 season.
Alex Smith’s performance in Patrick Mahomes’ rookie year
In 2017 during Patrick Mahomes’ rookie year, Alex Smith surprised many by showcasing his exceptional athleticism and skill last time in Kansas City. That season, he achieved a personal milestone by surpassing 4,000 passing yards for the first time in his NFL career. Additionally, he threw an impressive 26 touchdowns and only five interceptions, all while playing in just 15 games.
In 2018, Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins to make way for Kansas City’s emerging star, Pat, who was entering his second year in the league. Nevertheless, before departing, Smith played a crucial role in laying the foundation for Mahomes’ success.
As Mahomes’ mentor, Smith imparted valuable knowledge and guidance, helping Mahomes develop into the league MVP in 2018. Following Smith’s departure, the three-time Super Bowl MVP seamlessly transitioned into the starting role for the Chiefs.
In his first full season as a starter in 2018, Pat proved the worthiness of the Chiefs’ decision by recording impressive statistics, including a passer rating of 113.8, 5,097 passing yards, 50 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions in 16 games.
