Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith needs to draw from Tom Brady in 2017

With Alex Smith’s replacement being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs this past April, the clock is ticking on Smith’s time as a Chief. The only way he may save his job is if he wins it all.

If it was possible to rewind back to last season, it was not all sunshine and rainbows for the New England Patriots. Tom Brady was reaching 40 years of age quicker than ever, and he was injured. Jimmy Garoppolo was a pretty stable solution, but he was no Tom Brady. It seemed as if the Patriots would finally fall as a football dynasty and Tom Brady would succumb to his age.

That story did not really pan out at the end of the season.

To be honest, the Kansas City Chiefs had a better midseason look than the Patriots, yet it all came down to the epic comeback led by Tom Brady in the Super Bowl while the Chiefs watched at home. Ouch. Why did this happen? Well, there are two common themes to both stories: quarterback play.

If one were to ask Chiefs fans who was to blame for the loss to Pittsburgh in the playoffs, many would likely say it was Alex Smith, which would not be untrue. To be fair though, the whole offense struggled that entire game. Most people do not hate Alex Smith for what he can do, but for what he cannot do.

That is why he has his replacement ready to take over, fresh off the draft board. A simple turnaround would definitely help Smith’s case next season though and no one can deny that.

As of now, Smith is fighting for one more season with the Chiefs before Patrick Mahomes, the heir and hopeful saving grace of the franchise at the quarterback position, gets the reigns to the offense. It is not impossible for Smith to salvage his job, as Tom Brady seemingly did the very same thing.

That was Tom Brady, however, and we’re talking about Alex Smith. These are two completely different quarterbacks with two very incomparable skill sets.

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So, how can Smith draw from Tom Brady’s last season fight against retirement? Smith needs to learn how to fight resiliently. If he truly wants to keep his job next season, Smith needs to fight for it.

Smith needs to go beyond what is asked and do the maximum. Unfortunately for him, that would be winning a Super Bowl, which if he does complete that task, it would be a repeat of how Tom Brady fought back a season ago.

Can Alex Smith do such a task and lead the KC Chiefs to their first Super Bowl since the 1969 season? Maybe. Some examples of his resiliency were present last season, like in the first game of the season or when the Chiefs played the Broncos in Denver on Sunday Night Football.

One thing is for sure, if Smith does not step up, he has a guy behind him who will.

What do you think Chiefs fans? Do you believe Smith has a chance to save his job next season, or is it already far gone?

With the hope relying on Patrick Mahomes, the tired feeling fans have about Smith may force the hand of the Chiefs organization. Hopefully, the seasons ahead have a Super Bowl trophy in them.

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